Schools that competed were Bideford College, Great Torrington School, Kingsley School, Ilfracombe College, Pilton Community College, and South Molton Community College. Bideford College is not pictured here.

The first Emerging Schools Rugby Festival at Torrington is hailed a success.

GREAT Torrington School successfully host North Devon’s first Year 7 Emerging Schools Rugby Festival.

On Friday, six schools from across the area competed in their first rugby of the year that saw Kingsley School victorious with Ilfracombe coming runners up.

Although winning is always important, emphasis was put on playing those with less experience and mixing better ability with lesser ability to keep these young players involved in the game.

The first hour about development, with newly appointed RFU North Devon coaching co-ordinator Wayne Reed – former Exeter Chiefs, Launceston and Barbarians player - coaching 90 of the boys taking part.

“I thought the competition was fantastic and it was great to see so many children playing rugby and having fun,” said Wayne.

“It was a really exciting day of rugby and it was great to see some of the coaching we ran at the start of the day being used during the games.

“We realise that kids do want competition but I think this day at GTS proved that development, participation and enjoyment are equally important. With the help of local clubs and schools in North Devon I will continue to support the growth of rugby in the area as much as possible.’

Adrian Avery, the school sports development officer at Torrington, added: “In the past we have had to travel to Exeter to compete, which is a real stretch on staff time and school expenses. The kids really benefited from the coaching of Wayne and it showed when they took it into the games. A great day all round.”