Shropshire's tag rugby heroes honoured

The county's arm of Wooden Spoon, a national rugby charity for children with learning difficulties, were recently named team of the year when the charity held its annual bash in London.

It follows the organisation of a tag rugby festival at Telford Hornets last summer, which attracted more than 300 children from across the country.

It featured the likes of World Cup final assistant referee Wayne Barnes and former England ladies captain Tamara Taylor.

The award was accepted on behalf of the volunteers, which included tag rugby team Shropshire Rebels, by the county's Wooden Spoon chairman Glyn Dobbs, who admitted to being "humbled."

He said: "We had an amazing time. There were over 600 at the do and members of 42 regions from across the UK.

"All of those areas were represented on the night and little old Shropshire came out on top.

"Over the whole night the only rugby club that was mentioned was Telford Hornets as they helped us so much with the venue.

"The award all happened so quickly, but it was on behalf of the Shropshire kids, we were the ones just dressed up."

England World Cup-winning trio Martin Johnson, Phil Vickery and Jason Robinson were among the stars who attended the ceremony at Westminster Bridge.

The awards were handed out by TV presenter John Inverdale. A citation from the ceremony described the festival as an "inspirational event."

It read: "They were not content just with financially supporting a local disability rugby club.

"This Wooden Spoon regional committee undertook to help the club deliver a very special international tag rugby festival- the largest of its kind in the country in Rugby World Cup year.

"Once the green light was given, these individuals worked tirelessly for over 9 months to ensure a very special event was delivered.

"On the day, hundreds of young rugby players travelled from all four home nations to take part. Supported by an army of volunteers, children and young people enjoyed a full day of inspiring rugby."