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Top ratings for Hornets' Navy festival

26/ 7/2007

HORNETS' Festival of Schools Rugby, run in conjunction with the Royal Navy, was voted a great success.

With 32 teams and more than 400 youngsters taking part it was an opportunity for budding players from across the borough to display their skills.

The teams were divided into eight groups of four and played a round-robin.

The top two in each group went through to the semi-finals of the main tournament, while the others progressed to a Plate competition.

The final of the the main competition was keenly contested and Crompton House needed a "golden try" to edge out Middleton's Queen Elizabeth High School in extra time.

The Plate final was won by Springhill High School who beat local rivals Oulder Hill.

The officials included two females, were also juniors, and they didn't disappoint, keeping a watchful eye on proceedings.

Hornets' community officer Darren Rogers guaranteed the day went smoothly and he was delighted.

He said: "It was a great day with a great response from parents and teachers.

"The event should prove a launching pad for junior rugby across the borough, and hopefully it will have attracted more youngsters into the game."

The Royal Navy was on hand with a mobile climbing wall, a bomb disposal unit, and an inflatable soccer target.

Hornets provided sandwiches and drinks for the players, while a Navy chef made sure there were baked potatoes to sustain the youngsters throughout the day.