Islington TAG Rugby Tournament

So having topped our group just before half term, with a record of played five, won five, the children returned to Whittington Park for the Finals Day along with St Joan Of Arc Primary, St Johns Highbury Vale Primary and Canonbury Primary.

Seeded second we took on SJHV in our semi-final, having seen first seed’s SJOA make it into the final having beaten Canonbury 5-0. From the first whistle we went on the offensive and raced into a 3-0 lead, with tries for Han and Stephane. Just before the break SJHV pulled one back to give them some hope.

As the second half started both teams knew scoring the next try would be crucial. Fortunately it was us, as Han raced through and although SJHV made it 4-2, Stephane added another to send us into the final on the back of a 5-2 victory.

So onto the final against SJOA who had looked very impressive in beating Canonbury and fancied their chances against us, The early exchanges were quiet tight, but it was Han who put us ahead although a try which was disputed by SJOA (more on this later), however it stood and we led 1-0. Straight from the restart SJOA were level when their best player raced through to score. We didn't let that get to us and went back ahead as Stephane made it 2-1.

At half time the children were slightly disgruntled, feeling that SJOA teacher was getting too involved in the game, and also the fact that the SJOA children were cheering for SJHV in the semi didn't help. I explained to the children to ignore this use any negative energy into positive and let their rugby do the talking. (To be fair, it was a really nerve-wracking final and she was probably a bit excited, which is totally understandable, but our children didn't see that point of view!)

In the second half, the children stepped up a gear and put in a performance which matched any I have seen by an Ashmount sporting team. SJOA powered forward looking for an equaliser and were eventually rewarded. With three minutes remaining the next try was crucial. Some excellent running from Cameron and Archie took us closer to the try line, and this set up Han to make it 3-2. Now it was all about standing brave and strong against our on rushing opponents who were looking to equalise and possibly take the game into extra time and a sudden death situation.

We stuck to the game plan and made two early tags. But every play SJOA were getting closer to our try line. Our trio of girls, Ella, Henrietta and Layla then stepped up and got involved with two more tags. The fifth play saw SJOA yards away from the try line, but excellent defending forced them back and Ella was at hand to make the TAG.

So it boiled down to SJOA’s final play, if we made the tag we would be winners, but a try would mean extra time. SJOA’s best player picked the ball and started running towards the try line, until a swarm of yellow and blue shirts surrounded him, and Layla made the vital sixth tag, which turned out to be the clincher.

With seconds left we played out the remaining time, and as the final whistle blew we were crowned champions for a record fifth time. A pulsating and physical final, in which the children put everything on the line taking some blows, against a very good side, but overall we were deserved winners, retaining the trophy we won last year which was also against SJOA.

As I mentioned the new rules changes made it more of a level playing field and probably went against us seeing how good the children were last year, so adapting to that was also something which really impressed me.