TYNEDALE schoolchildren demonstrated there‘s a lot of talent throughout the district with some good performances against teams from across the county.

With both Haydon Bridge High and Hexham’s Queen Elizabeth High schools entering teams in the Year 9 and 10 Northumberland RFU Schools Rugby Festival, the local lads showed touches of class against their county rivals.

Similarly to the Year 7 and 8 festival last week, the annual event is ran as a non-competitive event with no winners in the aim of encouraging more youngsters to get involved with the sport.

Yet the games still had a very competitive nature, all teams looking strong as they continue their development at school alongside their extra curricular activity.

Northumberland RFU community rugby coach Scott Powell said: “A lot of these lads have played each other before as there are lots of club players, but there‘s also a lot of new players through the school teams.

”It’s a lot more competitive and physical than last week‘s Year  7 and 8 event, and the standard is a lot higher as the players are more developed and have had coaching through their clubs and schools.

“We want to give more children the opportunity to play rugby and enjoy their experience, and this might the first taste of competitive rugby for many.”