The Annandale and Eskdale Primary Schools Tag Rugby Festival
sponsored by Magnox Limited took place at Violetbank, the home of Annan Rugby Club on Saturday. The event was organised by Active Schools and Community Sport in Annandale and Eskdale in partnership with the club and attracted over 200 children competing in 21 teams from 17 primary schools from across the area.The competition included a four week block of coaching in local primary schools by coaches from local clubs, in particular Annan Rugby Club. The coaching helped develop the children’s skills, teach them the rules of the game and prepare them all for the festival.  The event was split into small and large schools competitions which some excellent rugby played by all children and teams.

Both finals went into extra time after finishing in a tie with Tudergarth/St Mungo overcoming Eaglesfield in the small schools event by 7 tries to 6. An equally close large schools final saw Langholm defeating Hecklegirth by 4 tries to 3 after a lengthy extra time period where both teams could have won.

Large Schools Competition
Semi Final	Hecklegirth A v Langholm A	5 – 4
Semi Final	Elmvale v Langholm B	3 – 5
3/4 Play Off	Langholm A v Elmvale	5 – 4
Final	Hecklegirth A v Langholm B	3 – 4 (AET)

Small Schools Competition
Semi Final	Tundergarth/St Mungo v Kirkpatrick Fleming A	7 – 2
Semi Final	Eaglesfield v St Columba’s	5 – 4
3/4 Play Off	Kirkpatrick Fleming A v St Columba’s	4 – 7
Final	Tundergarth/St Mungo v Eaglesfield	7 – 6 (AET)

Chair of Annandale and Eskdale Area Committee, Ronnie Ogilvie said “The children have been the winners today and I would like to thank our local rugby clubs who have all supported our Active Schools and Community Sport team and made the tag rugby programme and festival such a success again”

The medals were presented by Keith Drysdale, of Magnox Limited who sponsors the primary schools sporting calendar who said “It is good to see so many schools, volunteers and officials coming together to enjoy an excellent morning of rugby.  Chapelcross is delighted to support events of this kind in our local community and I hope the children have enjoyed the festival and it encourages them to get involved with their local rugby club. ”