Sevens heaven

COMING THROUGH: Joe Rathmill of Oasis tries to pick his way between a pair of tacklers in the sevens tournament.

RUGBY: 

SADDLEWORTH School's Year Seven rugby team emerged victorious in the ninth annual rugby sevens tournament at Waterhead Academy’s Moorside campus.

Eight schools took part in a keenly-contested competition organised by PE teacher Adam Oldroyd, also contending with the odd thunderstorm or two along the way.

In Group One, Royton and Crompton topped their pool and advanced to the semi-finals along with second-placed Crompton House. Hathershaw and Oasis Academy exited at this stage.

Group Two saw Failsworth top the standings, edging out Saddleworth by two tries to one in their round-robin match. Saddleworth defeated Waterhead and Radclyffe to go through to the last four as runners-up.

Failsworth saw off Crompton House to make it through to the final and Saddleworth beat a spirited Royton and Crompton side by four tries to three.

Playing to their potential having looked below-par for much of the day, Saddleworth gained revenge against Failsworth to the tune of five tries to one to claim the prize.

Player of the tournament Oliver Russell had a big role in guiding his team, who went home with the

trophy for the fifth time in nine attempts.