It is then that Mike Sage announces that early March will be the time we run the annual Gateway Tag tournament rounds, sponsored by Melin Homes. Schools are duly informed of groups, cup draws and destinations and schools practice their tag skills up and down the fields of the region.
As the big day approaches the weather turns again, the swirling wind carries freezing snowflakes and on the day of the first tournament Mike ponders on whether to cancel the tournament due to the horrible conditions. Janice re-assures him that the weather will relent and sets about getting all the kit ready. Phil is moaning, so nothing new there then!
With his diligent planning paying dividends Mike has booked the all weather pitches at Rogerstone Primary School for the two days of the rugby festival that will involve over 20 of the schools who participate in the Gateway scheme.
The competition kicks off as Janice and Mike blow their whistles in unison on parallel pitches and the shrieks of excited kids greet the action. In practical turns the games were even and well contested with the kids keen to display their Gateway learnt tag skills.
At the end of the first day of fierce competitive games the final was fought out by perennial finalists St Andrews, who finally broke their duck to reach the Grand Final by narrowly beating the unlucky Rogiet primary school in extra time by the odd try.
The following day saw a further dozen schools congregate at Rogerstone primary again and the weather finally relented and the temperature rose to freezing!
The final was again a Newport v Caldicot school affair with current holders St Mary’s RC determined to hold on to their trophy took on Durand primary school. As the teams swapped tries the excitement reached fever pitch with the winner being scored by the resolute St Marys just before full time.
So the day ended with all the efforts of the community team finally paying off, all the refereeing, the arrangements and running two consecutive days of competitions had left the group, tired but elated by the success of the competitions.
Jan had a beaming smile with the final being played between two of her Gateway teams and Mike was also pleased to have overseen his 12th year of Gateway competitions, Phil was still moaning!
So the Tata Steel grand final will be contested between the ‘saints’, in present holders St Mary’s RC and a first final appearance for St. Andrews. This will take place at half time during the Dragons final home game against Munster on Friday 19th April with the winners being presented with plaques and cup as the second half of the Dragons game commences.
So well done to both teams for making the final and if you play as you did in the qualifying games the grand final will be a cracker, well done to both Janice and Mike who worked so well. Further to that a big thank you to festival sponsors Melin Homes & Tata Steel and to Luke Gardner who has spent the last three weeks on work experience and played a huge part during the competitions and he also gave Phil something to moan about.
Well done one and all......
