THE Marlborough Schools Tag festival saw one of the closest finishes in years, with three teams battling it out for the shield.

Twenty teams were drawn into five groups of four to determine the make-up of four second-round groups at the Marlborough RFC.

Ramsbury A were crowned champions again on try difference, earning their place at the county finals on May 4 at Kingdown School in Warminster.

Great Bedwyn A missed out on second place by a single try scored as St Michaels just pipped them with 15 tries, both sides ending with a try difference of plus 6.

Great Bedwyn B topped Group Four with 10 points, followed by Preshute C, while Group Three saw St Michael’s B remain unbeaten with three wins and a draw to top the group ahead of St Katherine’s and Kennet Valley.

A tie at the top of Group Two saw try difference used to separate Preshute B and Ogbourne after both sides finished with three wins and a defeat, Preshute coming out on top by two tries.

Students from St John’s School organised and refereed matches.

TWELVE teams contested the Pewsey Vale festival in an event sponsored by Mercedes, who provided trophies and medals.

Pewsey Vale Rugby Club and 28 students from Pewsey Vale School refereed matches at the event, held in memory of Dave Aroskin, who was pivotal in the development of rugby in Pewsey for many years. Burbage A were the overall winners to reach the county final, finishing ahead of Woodborough B, Pewsey and Woodborough A. The plate prize went to Clarendon, ahead of Collingbourne A, Oare and Rushall B, while Rushall A won the bowl, ahead of Burbage B, Collingborne B and Burbage C.