Year 4 Tag Rugby Tournament

On Thursday, it was the turn of our Year 4 pupils to try and lift the silverware at the Broxton Rugby Tournament. 

We had that many talented rugby players in Year 4, we had to take 2 teams - the Whites and the Stripes. 

Sadly, our two teams were drawn together in the "group of death" which also included Tattenhall and Malpas. The Stripes and the White faced each other in the first game and what a game it was. Niall, Henry and Teddy combined for Teddy to score the first try and a second quickly followed with a Henry solo try for the Whites. Oscar replied for the Stripes with a superb solo try. The Whites then took a 4 - 1 lead with trys from Jonah and Thomas. But Oscar once again narrowed the deficit and taking a superb pass from Brandon to cross the try line. There was still time for Jonah to hand off to Teddy for his second try to make it a 5 - 2 victory for the Whites. 

Next up for the Whites was Tattenhall. Henry did one of his wide runs and scored the first try. But Tattenhall hit straight back. However, we proved to be strong in defence and with a ball turnover Jonah raced clear for a try. Just before the whistle, the Whites made sure of the win with a wonderfully worked try. On the last tag, Henry passed to Teddy who then layed it off to Jonah who then crossed the white line. 3 - 1 victory. 

Next up for the Stripes was Malpas. It was an incredible game. At 1 - 0 down, Evelyn raced out wide to the right and scored a brilliant try. At 2 -1, another defeat loomed, but Nathan had other ideas! He raced through with an incredible solo try and with the clock running down Nathan then passed to Brandon who crossed the line for a brilliant 3 - 2 win!

The Whites then played Malpas and it was an incredibly tense match. Malpas scored early and then the clock ran down due to bibs being brought on and then an injury to a Malpas player. We didn't need to worry as Niall sprung into life with a breathtaking solo try. Henry then cross the try line to put us in the lead. With our confidence up, we began to dominate, but as both Harriet and Jermiah crossed the line, they didn't convert to a try as they dropped the ball rather than place it. But it was still a 2 -1 victory. 

The Stripes then played Tattenhall and with victory would make the semi-finals. Tattenhall scored early. The Stripes were making some uncharaccteristic unforced errors in attack, but in defence they were outstanding. Stanley, Ronnie, Olivia, Lilly and Rory were grabbing those tags, halting every Tattenhall attack. However, the game end with a 1 - 0 defeat. It was a tense wait to see who joined the Whites in the semi final. All 3 teams were on 3 points, but the Stripes went through! 

In the semi-final, the Whites played Tilston. From the moment the whistle sounded, the result wasn't in doubt. Jonah passed to Henry who scored early and then after a fine move Henry scored his second. Jermiah scored a couple of trys and it finished with a convincing 5 - 0 win. 

But the drama was in the other semi-final between Farndon Stripes and Bickerton. Both teams gave it their all! With time running down, it was 3 - 3. Bickerton were on their final tag just yards away from the try line. With the whistle about to be blown, Bickerton crossed the line with a last gasp try! Farndon Stripes were desperately unlucky, but they could all be very proud with how they played. 

And so to the final! Niall opened the scoring early with an incredible solo try. Bickerton then scored, but Jermiah put the Whites 2 - 1 ahead. But Bickerton were not done yet and scored to level things up. With time running out, the defences were on top. No one could make the break through, and as the pressure grew, so did the unforced errors. The whistle sounded and so it went to the dreaded Golden Try. After several plays, it looked like no-one could break the deadlock. But the Whites had one last trick up their sleeve. On the final tag, the ball was worked to the left and Jermiah grabbed the ball and raced across the try line! CHAMPIONS!

Player of the tournament for the Stripes was Oscar who scored several tries, and was also incredible in defense with some great tackles. For the Whites, player of the tournament Teddy Pickering who was consistently strong in every game - calm under pressure with no unforced erros and briliant sportsmanship. A huge well done to all of our rugby players - you can be so proud of yourselves.