The Vale Vipers lifted the senior cup after a close final match against St Martin’s team, the Saints Smashers, winning five points to four at this year’s Annual Schools’ Tag Rugby Festival.
The festival, sponsored by Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management, celebrated its 15th year in the sunshine with around 400 primary school children taking part in the competition at the Garenne Stand at Footes Lane.
The La Mare Tigers took the cup in the year three and four tournament, battling it out in a very close final against the Vale Vixens, also winning by five points to four.
In the Plate competition the Castel Tigers beat the Notre Dame Wonders in the year five and six group and Tilly’s Taggers from St Martin’s defeated the Castel Wallabies in the year three and four group.
The Bowl competition for years three and four was won by the Beechwood Moaris. Beechwood also won the senior competition with their team, the Beechwood Saxons. The runners up were the Hougette Hares for years three and four and the Melrose Musketeers for years five and six.
The awards for most sportsmanlike teams were presented to Melrose in the senior tournament and Forest in the junior tournament.
Trophies and medals were presented by Andy Finch of Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management, players from the Guernsey 1st team, St Jacques and Guernsey women’s team.
Steve Melbourne, Rugby Development Officer, said he was pleased with how the tournament went: “The teams all played to the best of their ability and every player was giving it their all which made for some really exciting games. All of the players can be proud of their performances.
“I’d like to thank the volunteers who helped at the festival and for all the school teachers, family and friends of the children who turned out to cheer them on.”
Andy Finch, Head of Wealth Management at Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management in Guernsey said: “We’re pleased to support the Annual Schools’ Tag Rugby Festival which involves so many of the island’s school children each year. It’s encouraging to see the festival grow as the sport becomes more popular thanks to the hard work of the Guernsey Rugby Academy and Steve Melbourne.
“36 schools and a Barbarians team signed up this year to take part, involving more than 400 primary school children, which is a fantastic turnout. The weather was definitely on our side which made for a great atmosphere! I would like to congratulate all the teams that took part in the festival.”