THE children of South Tawton Primary School have been at it again, doing their school proud in a variety of sporting competitions.

Two of the school's tag rugby teams competed at the recent West Devon Tag Rugby Finals held in Tavistock.

South Tawton Tigers battled their way to the semi-final, claiming joint third place after losing by six tries to three against Lady Modiford's.

The South Tawton Lions team proved too strong for Lady Modiford's in the final though, winning all the matches they played in the tournament to claim the trophy. The Lions team will now represent West Devon at the county finals at Cullompton in June.

Lions captain Lucinda Aveyard said: 'We are really excited about going onto the next round. I think we won because of our good teamwork, communication, and that we got on really well.'

The school's hockey team competed in the Devon Winter School Games Quicksticks hockey finals on April 27. The team earned their place at the competition by winning the West Devon tournament in March.

The team won their group after some tough and exciting matches, with three wins, one defeat and a strong goal difference. They progressed to the semi-final and just lost out to Trinity School by a score of 4-3.

In the play-off for the bronze medal, the team again suffered a narrow defeat, losing 2-1, but earning themselves the title of fourth best team in Devon.

In the final presentations, the team received the fair play award from the organisers for their exceptional sportsmanship and conduct on the pitch.

Team captain Ben Bowles said: 'It was disappointing to lose the third place play-off, but it was a great day anyway.

'We won the fair play award, and in some ways that is better than anything else. It means we didn't talk back to referees, moan to other teams, and that we played properly as a team.'

The school's Year 4 tag tugby team played at Exeter Chiefs' Sandy Park on April 13 against Ottery St Mary. They earned their place following the Exeter Chiefs tag ruby festival last November.

The team fought valiantly in a close run game that finished 7-5 to Ottery St Mary. After walking around the pitch in front of a sell-out crowd, the team met loads of Chiefs stars to cap a fine day.

Team captain Josh Glanville said: 'It was really good fun, though I was really nervous and shaky before we played. The team played well, and it was really exciting.'

Teacher Nikki Hutchings has been instrumental in the success of the school's sports teams.

She said: 'I am extremely proud of all the teams, it is the best the school has done to date. Looking at the size of our school, it is an amazing achievement.

'For our hockey team to have come fourth in Devon the first time the school has entered a team is really amazing too. I am really looking forward to the next batch of Year 4s coming through to take part in these teams and do really well.

'It has been a lot of hard work and practice, but a lot of smiley children at the end of it.'