CHURCH Stretton’s young tag rugby players saw their 34-match unbeaten run come to an end in the cruellest way possible in a national final – on the toss of a coin.
The boys and girls from St Lawrence Primary School were beaten in the final of the under-11 Tag to Twickenham competition in a sudden death play after the match against Stanley Primary School of Middlesex had been tied at three tries apiece.
Instead of playing extra time, officials tossed a coin to decide who would have possession for a sudden death play – and the London school won it.
But there was a consolation prize for the Stretton players – having reached the final they will play Stanley as a curtain raiser at one of England’s autumn Rugby Union internationals at Twickenham. And they will form part of a guard of honour for the players against either the All Blacks of New Zealand or the Springboks of South Africa.
The Stretton team had won district, county and Midland events to reach the national finals alongside 19 other schools.
They then topped qualifying groups in the morning and afternoon to reach the final.
Ralph Davies, PE co-ordinator at the school, said: “It was like a penalty shoot-out but where only one team gets to have a go.
“As soon as they won the toss the Middlesex players were jumping in the air and knew they had won – at national final level you have almost no chance of turnovers in possession.
“But we are so proud of the players – they put in a tremendous effort and to reach two national finals in consecutive years is a huge achievement.
“Once they get over the initial disappointment I’m sure they will feel great about what they achieved and they will get the chance to go to Twickenham again in the autumn. We played 26 matches before the finals and played nine on the day, drawing one and then losing the final.”