CLOSE to 500 tries were scored during the first ever Swindon Primary Schools Tag Rugby Tournament earlier this month.

Five schools took part in the competition across four age groups, with Shaw Ridge winning three of the events while Red Oaks won the other.

Gorse Hill, Goddard Park and Holyrood missed out on being tournament winners but all displayed great effort and embraced the RFU ethos of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship.

All five schools competed in the year two, three, four and five competitions, in which the referee awarded bonus points for displays of sportsmanship including perseverance and behaviour.

The event was the culmination of Swindon Rugby Club’s Volunteer Coaching scheme which aims to support teachers in delivering rugby in schools in the town, expanding their PE lessons for both boys and girls in the process.

Swindon Rugby Club primary school liaison coach, Steve George, said: “There are very few team games for children as young as reception year that can involve all of the children across all levels of abilities and skills,”

“Ultimately this game can nurture an enjoyment for PE as well as rapidly develop a child’s self esteem, teamwork, agility, balance, co-ordination and speed.”

“It was great to see so many active children getting involved with rugby. Their behaviour and attitude was excellent, a credit to their schools, which matched their effort and enjoyment”

Twelve schools will be invited to take part next year, with anyone interested in getting their school involved asked to email srfcpsliaison@gmail.com.