THE South Worcestershire Primary Schools Association held their annual tag rugby festivals at Malvern Rugby Club last week.

As in previous years, the standard of skill and good sportsmanship was of the highest order, with all matches played in the best of spirits.

On Tuesday, 10 teams from the district's small primary schools (schools with less than 60 pupils) met at Spring Lane and played a 'round robin' contest in two five- team groups, with the top two teams of each group qualifying for a semi-final play-off.

Pendock, The Wyche, Elders-field and St James's (West Malvern) were the top teams of the groups. After a breathless semi-final stage, in which Pendock and Eldersfield had to use the 'golden try', it was Pendock who were to face St James's in the final.

It was Pendock who claimed the title, their first ever in tag rugby, but only after another dramatic 'golden try' play-off. St James's took the runners-up spot with The Wyche and Eldersfield in third and fourth places.

On Thursday it was the turn of teams from the large primary schools to show their worth and again the qualifying matches for the semi-final play-offs were of the highest quality.

All of the participating school teams played excellent rugby, with good possession, running lines and supporting play using the width of the pitch.

After two exciting semi-final play-off's, Northleigh came through as the champions for the second year in succession, with Kempsey as runners-up and Upton and Great Malvern in third and fourth places respectively.

The teams who made the semi-final stages of the two festivals will now be invited to take part in a special champions of champions play-off, organised by Malvern Hills District Council, to see which school represents the district in the Worcestershire Youth Games in May 2005.

The play-off will be held after the Easter holidays at Malvern RFC.

Thanks are extended to Anna Strether (Hanley Swan Primary) and the three teachers from The Grove Junior School who organised the festivals.