Wensum schools compete for rugby trophy

Teams from across the Wensum Trust schools went to North Walsham Rugby Football Club (NWRFC) on Friday 31 March to take on the 'Viking Schools' in what has now become an annual event.

The teams were competing for the Gerry Batty Trophy. Gerry, who was the former head of Hellesdon High School and the founding CEO of the Wensum Trust, sadly died in 2021 and the event is held in his memory. 

There were two girls matches for Year 7 and Year 8/9 combined, whilst there were Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9 matches for the boys. The teams were chosen from a number of schools to enable the keenest players an extra challenge.

Results for the matches, which were overseen by Norfolk Rugby Football Union referees, can only be recorded for games involving Year 9 or above under national regulations. Therefore, the Trophy was awarded on the basis of the aggregate scores of just two matches.

The Wensum Trust won an exciting Year 9 match with a last minute try, but the Vikings Schools won the trophy thanks to the Year 8/9 girls winning their match by a wider margin,

Ryan Oakes, Head Coach at NWRFC, said after the event: "There was lots of quality rugby and some exciting matches, but most importantly everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves with the games played in the right spirit."

Daniel Thrower, CEO of the Wensum Trust, said: "We are so grateful for our partnership with NWRFC and to be able to hold events such as this. I would like to congratulate everyone involved."