Last weekend saw a full programme of topflight rugby, which kicked off on Friday afternoon with the play-off stages of the Warburtons Tag Challenge Trophy Championship 2007.
This highly prestigious annual competition that is Junior schools' equivalent to the FA Cup was once again very keenly contested. At Bassaleg Comprehensive School; Durham Road, Henllys, St Andrews and eventual winners Pentrepoeth played attractive and sometimes breath taking rugby in the baking sun.
The same can also be said for the second play-off at Coleg Gwent, Usk Campus where the competition was as fierce against Rogiet, Thornwell, Usk and debutants and eventual winners Georgetown Primary.
All the youngsters were great ambassadors for their schools, producing cracking rugby full of individual brilliance; great teamwork and above all they showed sportsmanship and fair play in abundance.
Both Pentrepoeth and Georgetown are now fully focussed on gaining the ultimate prize of being crowned Warburtons Challenge Trophy Champions 2007 when they compete against each other in the final on Rodney Parade at half time during the Dragons v Ospreys match on Tuesday 8th May.
Commenting on the tournaments, Dragons Community Development Officer, Janice Chappell said, "The tournaments have been a great success and I am delighted with the way the schools conducted themselves, it was exactly as we promote during our fortnightly Gateway school visits. All the youngsters can feel proud of their achievements firstly, in reaching the playoff stages and for the effort and skills they produced, well done and congratulations to all schools."
Needless to say, Pentrepoeth and Georgetown were over the moon with their success, this was evident with the smiles on their faces and their cheers, now they can't wait to play on Rodney Parade.
A special thanks has to be extended to The Dragons players for presenting the trophies at all this season's tournaments, for taking time out to sign autographs and for passing on some valuable advice. This assisted in making the occasion even more memorable.
All teams were again delighted to participate in the annual Warburtons Challenge Trophy and full credit must be forwarded to our sponsors, Uskmouth and Wilkinson for their support of the initial area rounds and a big thank you to our friends at Warburtons for their continued support of the play offs and Grand Final.
