West Park's decision to play four girls was rewarded with victory in the first West Sussex Inter Schools Tag Rugby Festival at Worthing.

They beat fellow Worthing school Chesswood in the final of the seven-a-side competition for 10 to 12-year-olds by four tries to two.

Manager Mark Duncan said: "The rules stated there had to be four girls in the squad.

"Other schools kept girls in reserve, but we played our four. They turned the final for us.

"Lauren Coughlan scored two tries when we were trailing by two. Josie Wolstenholme, Kirsty Price and Robyn Pearce added pace and movement, while Owen Cave and Terry Dodd got the other tries.

"The girls helped to gel team spirit and the boys gave us a single-mindedness. I thought we would get slaughtered. We don't have any equipment at the school and only had a taster session in late January. Some players just about knew the rules.

"But I've worked with this age group for three years and they've got all round athletic ability and proved it."

The West Park team included boys with experience at the Worthing club.

Duncan said: "Zach Diprose and Liam McGrath have a good grasp of the game, while Owen Cave was a good captain."

He is a big supporter of playing rugby in Sussex schools.

"It's a great idea. The reason why our school and others had not played rugby was due to closed minds. It just wasn't done, particularly when competitive sport in schools was frowned upon in the Eighties. But now minds have been opened. I want the children to get involved, stretch themselves and play to win."

West Park won four matches and drew two to top their group from Our Lady of Sion. Chesswood were also unbeaten in their group, leaving East Preston in second.