Inter-schools rugby competition scores highly with Lochaber pupils

Over 250 pupils from 20 Primary and 3 Secondary Schools in Lochaber came together for the annual inter-schools rugby competition held today (5 May 2010).

This event is a firm favourite in the area’s annual sporting events calendar.  It is organised and run by Lochaber Rugby Club, working closely with Highland Council’s Active Schools Co-ordinators, Primary and Secondary PE teachers and the Scottish Rugby Union.

In the P4/5 section, Lady Lovat Primary School from Morar played consistently well, winning all 4 of their first round matches.  They were joined in the semi finals by Kinlochleven, Inverlochy and Acharacle.  A tense and hard fought final saw Lady Lovat beating Inverlochy 3 - 1. 

In the P6/7 tournament, Caol Primary did very well in the group stages with both their teams making it through to the semi finals.  However, after 2 very close games, both teams were defeated and the final was a contest between Spean Bridge and Fort William Primaries, with Fort William Primary taking the trophy by 3 tries to 1.

Many of those present commented on how good it was to see our smaller rural schools doing so well, holding their own and in some cases winning against the larger town schools.

In the afternoon, 2 teams from Mallaig and Lochaber faced Kinlochleven, with the teams all playing each other in a round robin format.  The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly amongst players, staff and spectators alike, with fair play an key part of the contest.  The final scores gave a clear win for Mallaig followed by a draw for second place between the 2 Lochaber teams and Kinlochleven.  Tries for and against were used to divide the teams with 2nd place going to Lochaber 2, 3rd Place to Kinlochleven and 4th Place to Lochaber 1.

Bridget Thomas, Active Schools Co-ordinator said: “The tournament is a great example of Highland Council staff working in partnership with a local club and sport specific development officer to provide a complete sporting pathway for our young people.  This allows them to move from trying a new sport at school right through to training with and competing for the local club at both junior and senior levels.  Lochaber Rugby Club has an active youth section, with a large number of committed coaches, many of whom took the day off work to come and referee matches.”

Sessions at the schools in the lead up to the competition were delivered by the PE staff with additional coaching by SRU/club sponsored Community Coach, Steven Traill, who was a former pupil at Lochaber High School.   He said: “The standard of play at the tournament improved markedly over the years as the development pathway has been formalised and strengthened and huge thanks are due to all those involved.”