Tag Rugby at The London Youth Games

By Andy Hancock
July 26 2006

The London Youth games took place at the Crystal Palace on the 6th of July. 32 London Boroughs convergered on the National Sports Centre to take part in over 30 different sports.

As for the Rugby, the honour of representing Richmond Borough fell to Chase Bridge School. How did they get chosen when other Boroughs held trials I here you ask? well.............

Richmond Schools were invited to the Stoop (sorry Twickenham Stoop) to take part in a competition based along the lines of the RATT Cup. This was split into big and little schools.

Back in January the winner of each category then went on to play on the main pitch to contest the final and Chase Bridge ran out 9-5 winners over St Elizabeths, so 6 months later their big day out at Crystal Palace arrived.

As is usual for these thing the parents were more nervous than the kids. First match about to kick off I start panicking something’s wrong with my camera! until I realise I haven’t removed the lens cap (DOH!)

In the group stages they came up against Lambeth, Waltham Forest, Chelsea/Kensington and Islington.

Richmond v Lambeth ©AndyH

Winning 3 and drawing 1. Which saw them progress to the next round

Merton were our next opponents who put in a spirited performance but could not match Chase Bridge’s pace, we ran out 6-3 winners before dispatching Bexley in the semi final.

So onto the Final the nerves had gone as all concerned thought the kids had done us proud to get this far.

Bromley proved tough opposition but not tough enough as we won 6-3. So it was off to pick up our gold medals.

Richmond v Bromley ©AndyH

It is the second time in three years that Chase Bridge has won the mini youth games a huge credit to the hard work of coach Paul Burke (no not our Burkey).

On Saturday 15^th July the same team entered the inaugural West London Rugby League tournament held at Quins. Chase Bridge duly won rounding off an excellent sporting year for the school.

I can remember commenting to my wife during the day, what a multi cultural event it had been. Kids of all colours shapes and sizes playing Rugby – fantastic.

Well done to the RFU for organising the rugby and a big thanks to those very nice people at the NEC Harlequins for sponsoring Richmond Borough.

A great advert for the club.