Thrills, spills, tension, last minute drama mixed in with heartbreak and elation – sounds like your normal Guinness Premiership game at Sixways Stadium! However, this was just the two tag festivals recently hosted by Worcester Warriors.
Warriors decided to hold both the Wooden Spoon and EDF Energy festivals on adjacent pitches adding to the atmosphere as 140 children, along with teachers and numerous parents, attended to generate a great atmosphere. The events were supported by the West Mercia constabulary who provided three pitch marshals that ensured the smooth running of the day.
In the Wooden Spoon competition the teams were split into two groups with Perdiswell, Lyppard Grange and Cranham competing in Pool 1 and Fairfield, Gorsehill and Warndon doing battle in Pool 2.
After a series of tough matches Lyppard Grange emerged as Pool 1 winners and Warndon were victorious in Pool 2. The semi-final line up was completed by Gorsehill and Perdiswell. The latter eventually claiming a prized place in the final with a thrilling and nail-biting one point win over Warndon and will now continue their rivalry with Lyppard Grange who eased into the final overcoming a spirited but tiring Gorsehill side.
The EDF Energy competition, not to be outdone, also provided plenty of excitement as Nunnery Wood overcame Stanley Road 7-5 in the one semi-final and Whittington just edged an 11-point thriller with Cherry Orchard in the other.
Earlier in the day, Stanley Road won their group sweeping all before them as they recorded wins against Oldbury Park Panthers, Cherry Orchard and Perrywood. In the other group Whittington proved too strong for debutants Redhill and Oldbury Lions and were only really tested by eventual finalist Nunnery Wood.
These finals will now be played on Sunday, November 2 at half-time during the Warriors home EDF Energy cup match v Harlequins.
During the two festivals, Fijian international and first team back row star Netani Talei found time out of his busy schedule to pop over and offer advice to the players and pose for numerous photos.
The Warriors Tag program now moves on to the Bromsgrove area giving more children the opportunity to try the sport and potentially a dream game in front of a packed Sixways.
