Words: Andrew Clarke Pictures: Mike Mckenzie and Kevin Murphy

Last updated 16:05, Wednesday, 08 October 2008

IT was a double delight for St Benedict’s School’s rugby union stars as they claimed both the Year 8 and Year 9 titles in the recent festivals.

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St Benedict’s saw off the challenge of Whitehaven School, hosts St Bees and the newly-formed West Lakes Academy to take the crowns.

And they will be hoping to make it a hat-trick when the Year 7 tournament takes place today (Thursday).

Although Bennies came out on top, organiser Russell Gainford, Copeland’s community coach, says the standard of play was high across the board.

“It’s all about the development of youngsters and helping them continue to make the step up from playing tag rugby in primary schools to full-contact as they go through the years in senior school,” says Russell.

“It’s the third or fourth year we’ve run this festival at the start of the school year and it continues to go from strength to strength.

“The idea is to get the kids playing competitively, getting the basics of skills and self-discipline right, and hopefully seeing them progress into the well-run junior sections of clubs like Egremont and St Benedict’s.”

Almost 70 players competed in the Year 8 contest, which saw Whitehaven runners-up followed by the Academy and St Bees.

“Whitehaven gave St Benedict’s a real run for their money and only lost 2-0 to them in a closely-fought game,” added Russell.

“In the Year 9s, 80 took part which was a great achievement. West Lakes Academy finished second, and St Bees beat Whitehaven for the first time in living memory to finish third.

“The outstanding player on the day was Jamie Dolan from St Benedict’s. He has enormous potential . He’s got pace, defensive qualities, is great on the ball and has got just about everything.

“The competitions were also well supported with a lot of parents and grandparents turning out to see their kids play which was great to see.”