RUGBY League is alive and kicking in Runcorn!

That's the message to come out of the Runcorn schools Tri Series tournament at the Halton Stadium, which was a knockout success!

The Grange, The Heath and St Chad's each entered two teams in the competition, which saw some fast-flowing rugby and natural talent on display.

All the teams played in closely-fought games of 20 minutes but only two teams could emerge triumphant.

Year 8/9 from The Heath won their age group after beating The Grange 14-10.

But The Grange's Year 10/11 team exacted revenge by winning with a golden try after their clash ended in stalemate.

St Chad's showed they have come on leaps and bounds in the past year and are keen to enter teams in next years Tri Series. Their head of PE, Jim Murrell, said: "The whole thing was superb and the lads loved being able to use the players' dressing room and running onto the pitch.

"They have made real progress and it has helped establish a group of players at the school who are eager to take part in more rugby, thanks to support we have received from the club."

Neil Wharburton, Head of boys PE at The Grange, added: "It was a brilliant afternoon and showed that rugby is starting to take off in our school. There was a lot of natural talent out there."

The winners of each 'Man-of-the-Tournament' O2 awards, captains Ryan McKibben and Andrew Dearden, both came from The Heath. Their coach, Rob Jenkins, said: "The lads were dead excited about playing at the stadium and it was really well laid on by the club.

"Some of the lads are still a bit raw but they have benefited from the experience and have made real progress."

All the players received medals from Vikings in the Community and O2 and the winning teams will parade their trophies before the Widnes v St Helens clash on Friday, June 18.