SOGGY skies did not dampen enthusiastic sporting spirits on Friday, November 9, when Queen Elizabeth’s School welcomed more than 250 Year 5 and 6 students from primaries around Crediton, to its Barnfield Campus, for a highly anticipated annual Tag Rugby tournament.

Last year’s winners Landscore and Tedburn, were both in attendance determined to defend their trophies.

A total of 24 teams were entered for the championship, with students from Cheriton Bishop, Winkleigh, Yeoford, Hayward’s, Bow, Copplestone and Sandford also taking part.

After three hours of tag-tastic rugby, Landscore and Winkleigh, who only joined the Sports Partnership this year, qualified for the final, with Landscore inflicting Winkleigh’s first defeat of the day and managing to retain their trophy, three tries to one.

With more than 40 matches taking place across the three hours, the tournament needed an army of referees to keep track of the taggers and their try scoring feats.

Twenty-one Year 9 QE Sports Leaders took on the challenging task of refereeing more than 40 matches during the three hours.

Ross Gillon, PE Teacher at QE, who heads up the Crediton Learning Community Sports Partnership, had nothing but praise for his Sports Leaders, saying: “Refereeing tag rugby requires you to have eyes in the back of your head, so I was really proud of how the Year 9’s handled the matches.

"You sometimes have to make unpopular decisions as a referee, but the leaders really focused on being fair and accurate, which is all you can ask. They showed real maturity for students so new to leading primary students and did a great job."

Next on the Sports Partnership calendar is the Year 3 and 4 Gymnastics, taking place on November 22 and 23, in the QE Western Road sports hall.