Topflight Rugby Schools Tournament a big success : News

"Fantastic", "wonderful", "a great experience". "perfect venue - great organisation", were just some of the comments from the schools who attended the inaugural Topflight Rugby Schools Nations Tournament at Hartpury College last week.

29 teams from Ireland, Wales, England, Scotland and Italy showed their rugby skills to great effect during the three day tournament.

There were two sections - A & B - to cater for the different levels and the schools played in pools before proceeding to the knock out stages.

The standard of rugby was very competitive and of the highest level. The Gloucester Rugby Community team helped to organise and oversee all aspects of the rugby, in conjunction with Steve Harland, RFU South West Development Manager.

International referee, Chris White, also assisted with the assessment of the referees who were all participating in the RFU referees development programme.

Section A of the tournament produced some wonderful games in the pool stages with Neath Port Talbot College, St. Mary's College (Dublin), Filton College A (Bristol) and St Munchins College (Limerick) all progressing to the semi finals.

Filton College A and St Mary's College won their respective pool games to set up a classic final . With the game at 3 - 3, a converted try in the last few minutes and Filton's physical strength was enough to bring them through.

Other A finalists were:

Stena Line Plate: Hartpury College overcame Crescent College Comprehensive SJ (Limerick).

Topflight Sports for Schools Bowl: Hampton College (Cheshire) defeated Glenstal Abbey (Limerick).

Stena Line Shield: Coleg Gwent Crosskeys were too strong for Dalriada School (Ballymoney).

In the B Section of the tournament the Gloucester Rugby Cup went to Loretto College (Scotland). Their game with Filton College B ended at 6 - 6 each but Loretto won following a penalty kick shoot out.

In the Topflight Sports for Schools Shield Fettes College (Scotland) defeated Belvedere College B. Sligo Grammar School won the Gloucester Rugby Bowl with Bandon Grammar School the runners-up.

And the Evening Herald Plate Wesley College (Dublin) defeated Ysgol Glantaf 13 - 11 in a dramatic game. A penalty try in the last minute gave Wesley a deserved victory.

Other schools who participated were Christian Brothers College, Cork (2 teams); Colaiste Iognaid (Galway); Terenure College (Dublin); Belvedere College, Dublin (2 teams) and Colleferro from Italy.

Following the success of the tournament the aim is to make it an annual event and already plans are being put in place to ensure that next year's Topflight Rugby Schools Tournament will be bigger and better.

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A try scorer in the 33-12 semi-final win over Newcastle, Billy Burns admitted that Gloucester hadn't started well, but that the last hour was much improved. A final in Bilbao now beckons but Burns insists the immediate focus is on Bath next week.

Man of the Match Jason Woodward admitted when talking to GRTV after the win over Newcastle, that Gloucester had shown the best of what they could do but also the worst before easing to victory and a place in the final.