BOLTON RUFC in conjunction with Bolton School organised rugby tens competitions for the year seven and eights of the secondary schools in Bolton.

The competitions were backed by the Commonwealth Community Fund to help promote the Commonwealth Games, each school represented one of the competing rugby nations.

The year seven tournament ran first, most of the players had previously played very little or no rugby at all. However this did not show during the ten minute group games that saw teams progress to the cup or plate knockout stages.

The plate final was contested between Hayward (Australia) and Mount St Josephs (South Africa), with Hayward winning a high scoring game 19 - 7.

The cup final was a very tight affair between Thornleigh College (New Zealand) and St.Josephs (England) who had disposed of Sharples (Samoa) and St.James (Tonga) respectively in the semi finals. Thornleigh eventually scraped home as the light was fading.

Eight schools retained their adopted countries for the year eight competition which saw Deane School (Scotland) defeat Thornleigh (New Zealand).

The semi finals of the cup competitions saw two very tight games with St.Josephs (England) edging out previously unbeaten Rivington (Wales) 7 - 5.

In the other match Sharples (Samoa) lost to St.James (Tonga). The final which started with both defences on top was won by St. Josephs (England) thanks to two very fine tries.

Organiser Paul Fernside praised the schools for the rugby played.

Bolton RUFC will now follow up the competitions with an invite to every player and members of staff to attend a junior open day at the club in April.

Vaughan Going of Sale Sharks presented the trophies and rugby in the Bolton area was the real winner, as more than two hundred players took part in what will now become an annual event.

Paul Fernside. Bolton RUFC.