LEIGH & Bransford Primary School moved a step closer to a Twickeham final after qualifying for a West Midlands tag-rugby play-off tournament.

Shropshire’s Church Stretton beat 15 other teams from primary schools across the West Mercia area at the Hindlip tournament. The tournament saw 16 teams competing after they made it through qualifying events in Worcestershire, Telford & Wrekin, Herefordshire and Shropshire, including Eastnor Parochial Primary School.

They will both be battling it out on June 16 in the West Midlands play-off in Lichfield for the chance to take part in the national tournament, organised by the RFU on July 8, at Rugby School.

The top two sides from the final at Rugby will appear at Twickenham next season to play before an England international game. Since last September, West Mercia Police has been busy developing a Tag Rugby initiative, in partnership with the Rugby Football Union and Child Victims of Crime (CVOC), the children’s charity the police support.

The force has trained more than 150 local police officers and community support officers to deliver coaching and run tournaments as part of their youth inclusion programme.

They use the opportunity to engage with children and deliver personal safety messages.