By James Smyth
Lindfield village certainly seems to be the place for high quality tag rugby in Mid Sussex! For the fourth time in the last five years, one of our primary schools has been crowned Mid-Sussex champion and this year both schools contested the final! Lindfield Primary School (champions in 2013 and 2014) and Blackthorns Community Primary Academy (champions in 2011) went into the tournament, at Burgess Hill Rugby Club, well prepared after a number of training sessions and even a training match against each other on their field. As a result, confidence was high in both camps.
In the group stages Lindfield remained unbeaten throughout, defeating WPPA, St. Wilfrid’s (BH), Holy Trinity and London Mead as well as drawing with St. Joseph’s. Blackthorns also topped their group, defeating Harlands, Birchwood Grove, Manor Field and Northlands Wood.
With only the winners of each group reaching the latter stages, it left a playoff between both village schools to see who would be crowned champions and gain qualification for the County Final. The quality of rugby was high throughout the match, with Blackthorns just pipping their local rivals 6-5. Thanks must go to Mid-Sussex Active which ran the competition and well done to all the children from both sides for the high quality of rugby and great teamwork. Good luck to Blackthorns in the County Final later this month.

Photo: Blackthorns – William James, Joe Barnett, Harry Pulham, Tom Spensley, Ben Anthony, Lauren Healey, Harry Clark, Jessica Cox, Jenny Tame, Jamie Filce, Henry Rakabopa and Daniel Childs. Teacher – Terry Harris
Lindfield: Patrick Stedman, Nathan Weekes, Alex Pedley, Seren Billson, Lio Robinson, Harry Russell, Jack Flower, Georgia White, Ella Greenslade, Barnaby Grout, Alex Owen, Hannah Taylor. Teacher – James Smyth

Also available on page 7.