RIDGEWAY School were yesterday crowned Plymouth tag rugby champions.

The school claimed the under-13 (Years 7 and 8) title by beating Plymouth High School for Girls and Stoke Damerel in a three-way final held at Notre Dame.

Ridgeway scored an impressive 17 tries on their way to victory.

However, the best try of the day went to newcomers of the sport, Stoke Damerel, who eventually finished third.

All three schools will represent Plymouth at the Devon School Games, which will be held in Torbay on March 7.

The top sides in Devon will then progress to regional finals, with the chance of going all the way to Twickenham.

Plymouth organiser Howard Turner admitted he was impressed with the standard on show yesterday and felt all the youngsters had a great day.

"The event went really well," said Turner.

"There was some great rugby on show and there was some beautiful sunshine as well that added to the day."

He added: "Girls rugby is becoming much more popular, especially the tag game.

"Players find they get to run as well as using the handling skills they have learned in other sports like netball.

"More and more schools are taking it up."