The Springbank rugby team celebrated after winning the local school rugby tournament for the second year in succession. Based on the success of last year's team we have seen interest in rugby training practically double this year with the mixed Year 5 and 6 rugby club over-subscribed since September's 'boot camp' training which involved some strenuous activity in what was left of the summer sunshine (feel free to ask any member of the original rugby squad how gruelling those early sessions were!). Since then we have trained in all weathers (including one particularly uncomfortable hail storm) with our focus on a big showing at last week's tournament.

There were 18 schools in attendance and Springbank, such are our squad numbers, ended up fielding two teams on the day. The boys and girls played four group games each. Team 'A' won their four games relatively comfortably but suffered some unfortunate injuries to key players in the process. Team 'B' had won their first three but narrowly lost out 3-2 in their final group game. When the schools were gathered to announce results it was revealed that Team 'B' had edged their group on points difference and, as a result, both Springbank teams would meet head to head in the semi-finals - unprecedented! It was impossible to take your eyes off the fiercely contested semi; supporters from other schools even stopped to watch as neither team refused to take a backwards step against their training partners as they chased down a place in the final. In the end it took a late try to separate the sides 2-1 and Team 'A' would face Stanningley in the final. With skipper Charlie Bennett and winger Joseph Edmonds having recovered from injury the team was at full strength and with the vocal support of Team 'B' on the side-lines (showing true Springbank spirit by turning disappointment into support for their peers) the final began. Intense defence married with sensational speed on the break saw Springbank to a 3-1 victory - the reds and greens of 'A' and 'B' danced and hugged as one team together, and Springbank now go on to face the best of all Leeds schools in the City Finals.  Another sporting success…go Springbank!