Dunnington Primary School's tag rugby league team will represent York in the North Yorkshire Youth Games next month after winning the York Schools' Tag Rugby Tournament, writes Peter Martini.

The competition saw 16 teams from 13 schools compete, with potential rugby league stars of the future lighting up what proved to be a successful event.

Almost 400 schoolchildren received top-notch rugby league coaching as part of the tournament, with 180 children actually taking part in the matches, while each school received tag belts and six rugby balls.

The tournament is set to attract more schools as it grows annually, the inaugural event having been held last year after receiving a Lottery cash boost, while it has proved so successful that a cluster of schools around Easingwold will now hold a tag tournament of their own.

The York tournament saw the 16 teams split into four groups, with the top two teams in each winning through to finals day. The eight qualifiers were then split into two groups with the top teams in each going into the final.

There was drama in group one, where Elvington and Ralph Butterfield both finished with five points and with the same points difference, and therefore had to play a reduced-time play-off.

Elvington won that 12-0 to meet Dunnington, who remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, in the final.

Dunnington won the big match 16-8 and will now hope to emulate St Oswald's, who went on to become North Yorkshire Youth Games champions.

Sponsorship is being sought to provide tag belts and balls for schools to increase participation in future tournaments. Anyone interested should contact Tony Gargan on 01904 790489 or Mike Kilmartin on 01904 762244.

Meanwhile, the next project being organised is an over-35s tag rugby competition, and anyone interested is invited to contact Kilmartin on the above number.

Updated: 12:08 Thursday, April 25, 2002