There was sunshine and tries galore at the recent Lochaber Inter-School Primary Tag Rugy Tournament in Fort William with a total of 18 schools taking part in this popular annual event.
Organised by High Life Highland’s Lochaber Active Schools team and Lochaber Rugby Club, P4-7 pupils displayed some excellent rugby skills.
In the P4-5 category 12 teams took to the pitch with Ardgour, Inverlochy, Spean Bridge, Mallaig and Bun Sgoil Ghaidhlig Loch Abar 1 in pool one, each playing four games with the top two moving on to the semi-finals.
This was a tightly contested group with no fewer that fifty-seven tries scored. So tight was the group that there was only four points between all the teams with Bun Sgoil Ghaidhlig Loch Abar 1 narrowly missing out by a point to Ardgour and Mallaig.
The second pool saw Banavie, St. Bride’s, Invergarry, Caol, Bun Sgoil Ghaidhlig Loch Abar 2 and a combined Acharacle and Kilchoan battle it out with Caol eventually topping the group with nine points followed closely by Acharacle and Kilchoan with eight points to progress to the semi-finals.
In the first semi-final Mallaig came out top against Acharacle while a plucky Ardgour side put Caol to the sword with a 4-1 victory. The final proved to be a tight affair with both Mallaig and Ardgour exchanging two tries a piece, but it was Mallaig who were to prevail and take the trophy with a 3-2 victory.
There were 19 teams in the P6-7 category competing in four pools with Banavie 1, Coal, Bun Sgoil Ghaidhlig Loch Abar 2 and Inverlochy making it through to the semi-finals from the pool stages.
In the first of the two semi-finals it was a tight affair between Banavie and Inverlochy with Banavie pipping their opponents by the odd try in five to gain their place in the final to play a rampant Caol side who came through 4-1 winners against Bun Sgoil Ghaidhlig Loch Abar 2.
The final was a tense, well contested battle that could have gone either way but in the end it was Banavie with a 3-2 against Coal who were victorious.
High Life Highland Active Schools Coordinator Alan Gray said: “We’re so glad that so many schools and pupils took up the opportunity to participate in the tournament, such great numbers is a real testament to the hard work of the teachers and parents who give their time to make days like this possible.
“A massive thank you to community coach Stevie McAleer of Lochaber Rugby Club along with Zach, Lexi, Ester and
Alistair for help setting up, coordinating the day and of course refereeing.
“And also thanks to Gary Davidson of Lochaber Leisure Centre and the grounds team for getting the pitch to a great standard and for allowing us to hold the event here – and to Linda Campbell, Peter Jackson and Kilmallie Shinty Club for allowing us to use the facilities.
“However the biggest thanks must go to the young people who came today and played their hearts out in the sunshine with smiles on their faces – who knows, maybe the next Helen Nelson or Ross Ford played here today.”
Image information: The main image show P6-7 winners Banavie
Subsequent images show: Mallaig P4-5 winners; Mallaig v Acharacle
