Church Stretton school team is Tag Rugby finalist for third year running

The third Tag to Twickenham tournament for Shropshire was held at Ludlow Town Football Club on Thursday, with over 220 young people participating during the course of the day.

More than 20 teams from 17 schools were involved and the winners for the third year running were from St Lawrence’s School, Church Stretton, who beat Cleobury Junior School in the final.

St Lawrence’s will now progress to the next stage of the Tag to Twickenham process in the West Mercia Police regional final.

They have made it to the national finals of Tag to Twickenham two years in a row, becoming national champions in 2009 and were runners up last year.

Longnor Junior School were awarded the 'Fair Play' Award following the tournament day and were presented with a tag rugby pack for their school.

Organiser Police Constable Paul Sparrow said: “This year’s event was the biggest tournament we have held in South Shropshire, with well over 200 participants.

“Once again the school from Church Stretton proved too strong for the opposition but it was widely accepted that the standard of tag rugby has progressed significantly over the last few years within South Shropshire.

“Particular thanks must be paid to the Rugby Football Union, Ludlow School and College which provided referees for the day and to Ludlow Town FC for allowing us to host this event at their venue.”

The West Mercia Police Authority Community Safety Fund provided £90 to pay for trophies and medals on the day.

PC Sparrow also praised the work that the Local Policing teams were doing in taking tag rugby into schools and delivering safety messages in line with the national Child Victims of Crime Charity, in order to prevent local youngsters becoming victims of crime.

The St Lawrence’s School team will now participate in the West Mercia Police Tag Rugby Finals at Worcester in May on the next step on their road to Twickenham.