Hove Rugby Club are delighted with the response to their inaugural festival for primary schools.

The club, based off Shirley Drive in Hove, staged a non-contact tag rugby day for youngsters.

The purpose is to introduce rugby to a new generation of youngsters from a variety of backgrounds.

Four local schools, Somerhill, Hangleton, Cottesmore and St Andrews attended.

Cottesmore won all their matches to pick up the trophy ahead of Hangleton.

The day went well, according to organisers.

Dick Tidmarsh is chairman of the club's junior section and he helped host the event.

He said: "The scheme is aimed at schools that don't have rugby as their main sport, which is most of them.

"Within the state system it's particularly important to get youngsters involved. They have limited access to sport generally and we are well supported with children from private schools.

"We don't want rugby to become a public schools sport so we are trying to take it into the state schools.

"Tag rugby is an ideal sport to play because it is non-contact. Parents get put off by the physical aspect.

"Parents worry something untoward could happen so we have taken tackling out of the game to make it safer.

"The day was a great success and we hope to do it with some other schools in the new year."

Cottesmore beat St Andrews (9-4), Somerhill (7-2) and Hangleton (7-4) to win the trophy.

Cottesmore PE co-ordinator Dave Butler was thrilled with his side's efforts and praised Hove for staging the event.

He said: "We were very pleased to win the tournament and seem to be quite strong at rugby.

"It was a lovely day and well organised by Hove. The beauty of tag rugby is that girls and boys can compete on an equal footing.

"We could have fielded three teams because there was so much interest. The girls love it because it is fast moving game and it doesn't depend on strength.

"We are looking forward to the next tournament and, hopefully, we can continue to do well."

Butler said several of his pupils have joined both Hove and Brighton rugby clubs after taking part in the event.

He said: "Hove are a superb club and it is nice to see them getting involved with schools. We need that contact with local clubs to encourage our better players to join a club and improve further."

Hove RFC's development officer Mark Jenkins helped organise the day and refereed some of the games.

He said: "Rather than go into the more established schools in the area like, St. Christopher's, we are looking to take the game to schools where the pupils have never played the game before. That way a lot more kids get a chance to get involved and many are really talented."

Hove were recently awarded £500,000 from various schemes to fund a new clubhouse, pitches and drainage which are now in operation. The club are keen to get as many people as possible using the new facilities.

Jenkins added: "Rugby will never be as popular as football but it is a chance for the kids "Tag rugby is really simple to learn because the RFU realised they needed to make the sport much easier to play.

"The kids all really enjoy it because the game involves running, catching and going forward which is essentially what rugby is about. There is no contact involved and girls and boys can both play the game."

The club hope to hold another tournament for primary schools next April or May.

For more information on Hove rugby club contact Dick Tidmarsh on 01273 726374.

The club operate an open door policy and children can turn up and train from 10am-12pm on a Sunday.