I paid a visit to Holbrook Primary last week to meet up with the all-action members of the school’s Tag Rugby squad.

The successful crop of year 5 and 6 pupils have made it all the way through to the regional final of the ‘Tag 2 Twickenham’ tournament at Bishop Stortford on May 23.

There they will compete against a number of other schools in one of 10 regional events around the country with the winners getting the chance to play in the final at the home of English rugby union, in July.

The school has defeated schools from Shotley, Chelmondiston, Stotton and Tattingstone before progressing to a tournament at Woodbridge Rugby Club where they reached the final.

“We have been together since the start of the year and while some of the children had experience in rugby, others were picking up a ball for the first time,” said PE co-ordinator James Marsh, as he put his charges through their paces on the school’s playing field.

“To some, the game is a very new concept but they have all turned up to every training session without fail. They have displayed a huge amount of dedication and have played against schools with a bigger pool of players from which to choose.

“I am extremely proud of every one of them.”

James, himself, is a keen rugby player and went to St Joseph’s College in Ipswich, before university in Cambridge, a venue with a rich heritage of rugby.

“Being a rugby man, the sport is my passion and the children have responded really well,” he added.