Adders staying in touch; JUNIOR RUGBY PICTURE SPECIAL FOCUSING ON THE NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY UNDER-17 AND COLTS SEVEN-A-SIDE TOURNAMENT

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Oct 1, 2008

ROCKLIFF Black Adders flew the flag for England in the Aberdeen Touch Rugby Tournament.

The event attracted teams from France, Ireland and Saudi Arabia, with the Whitley Bay-based Black Adders, the only team from England taking part.

They reached the semi-finals in their group, narrowly missing qualification for the final by one point.

In the overall competition the Adders finished seventh out of a field of 16 sides.

Team captain Philip Wilson said: "To go this far in a competition which attracted a high level of international teams was a real achievement.

"Each member of the team played well for us to progress."

Touch rugby sessions are held at Rockcliff RFC, in Lovaine Avenue, Whitley Bay, every Thursday night from 6.30 and all are welcome to join in.

To find out more, telephone (0191) 251 3704 or email info@whitleybayrockcliffrfc.co.uk.

Meanwhile, Rockcliff Under-17s were just edged out 43-33 by Novocastrians.

Tries from Ben Reid (2), Gary Whittle, Gavin Newboy and Matt Dunbar were added to by conversions from Newboy (3) and Whittle for the coast outfit.

WINGER John Peace scored a try for a depleted Seghill side, with Stephen Gluck adding the conversion, as they lost 59-7 to Percy Park.