Fullerians RFC welcomed 144 tag rugby teams from 19 clubs to take part in the 27th Hertfordshire County Tag Rugby Festival on Sunday.

Comprising almost 1000 rugby players from across the county, teams competed across two age groups in the sunshine.

In total 353 matches were played on 26 pitches. This was the first and probably largest tournament playing under the Rugby Football Union new rules of play, with 92 Under-Seven teams and 52 Under-Eight teams entered.

The Under-Eight tournament, comprising of a cup, bowl and plate was fiercely contested and offered some exceptional rugby throughout the day.

All pools were closely fought, and were testament to the quality of tag rugby across the county. The cup was won by Hemel Hempstead (Camelot) who beat Harpenden in the final.

Old Albanians Ds beat Old Albanians Cs to win the Bowl and Hertford Cheetahs overcame Old Albanians Fs to win the plate. The Under-Sevens tournament was run as a non competitive celebration of rugby which comprised 16 groups with each team playing five matches.

Despite this, there were still some titanic struggles between the teams as all the players wanted to show off their finest rugby.

Royston Rugby Club were the first winners of the fair play award, for the sportsmanship displayed from the players, supporters and coaches. Many of the teams had played each other over the season and had got to know their strengths and weaknesses.

This made for fantastic rugby and the thrill that almost 1,000 children got from this was a joy to see.

Fullerians thanked Watford Boys Grammar School for the use of their ground to hold the Under-Eights tournament, Saracens, Watford Council for the use of Gazebos and all the sponsors, volunteers, coaches and parents.

England Under-20 player Tom Jubb, who was a junior at the club, attended the festival and donated a shirt to Fullerians.