Tag tournament triumph for local schools

4:40pm Sunday 11th May 2008

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RUGBY teams from primary schools across the Cotswolds turned winners at a county-wide tag rugby tournament hosted by Gloucestershire police.

The force's first ever tournament, which was held at Hartpury College on Friday May 2, attracted some local sporting heroes in the shape of Gloucester Rugby team members, Italian captain Marco Bortoloni, winger Lesley Vainikolo and number 8 James Forrester.

"To have players from Gloucester training nearby was a real boost and the children were thrilled to meet some of their local heroes"

Organiser DI Simon Atkinson of Gloucestershire Police

The cup winners were Moat School in Matson, but the teams from Anne Edwards School, South Cerney, Powells School, Cirencester and Andoversford Primary School put in great performacnes to finish runners-up.

The four teams will now go on to a regional event at Taunton Rugby Football Club on June 10.

Stow-on-the-Wold Primary School also finished the day as Plate Winners.

Detective inspector Simon Atkinson, who organised the event, said: "The tournament was a huge success and we are hoping to run this event again next year.

"The children really enjoyed themselves and gave confident performances and really embraced the ethos of the day which was to work as a team, respect each other and enjoy in a safe environment."

"To have players from Gloucester training nearby was a real boost and the children were thrilled to meet some of their local heroes," he added.

Special guest, Gloucester RFC centre Jack Adams, was on hand to present each child with a medal and certificate at the end of that day as well as the winners trophies.

And international rugby referee Chris White also put down his whistle for the day to cheer the teams on.

DI Atkinson continued: "It is a shame that only four teams could be put through to the regional event as the children were all winners on the day."

Footage from the day will be now be used in a promotional DVD produced by the Constabulary on behalf of the Rugby Football Union who will distribute it nationwide to drum up further support for the tournament.