Youngsters give rugby a try

More than 400 sporty youngsters took to a Shrewsbury playing field for a fun rugby tournament over the weekend.

The three team friendly tournament, organised by Shrewsbury Rugby Club, was held at the club's grounds just outside Shrewsbury yesterday morning.

It was the first "triple header" of the season for the organisation's youngsters. Teams from age groups ranging from under sevens to under 12s showed off their skills to the crowds as Shrewsbury youngsters competed against others from Bridgnorth and Sandbach.Rae Evans, junior secretary at Shrewsbury Rugby Club, said: "It went very well indeed, we estimate there were about 400 children there and fortunately the weather cleared up just in time for us to have a great morning."

The tournament aims to build up links between the teams and the club holds a number of "triple-headers" because hundreds of children from across the county are expressing their interest in rugby.

The event was scheduled to be between Brignorth and Shrewsbury teams but Sandbach was keen to play a team it had not played before.

As Shrewsbury and Sandbach had met each other but the Cheshire team had not played Bridgnorth, the three team fixture was set up.

Matches started from 11am and the event, which is sponsored by Martineau Johnson Solicitors and Tilney Private Wealth Management, went on until about 1pm.