Wickford's Grange Primary won the plate final when over 100 children from 10 Essex schools contested the Pro-Plumb Essex Eels summer tag festival in Brentwood.

Grange took on the far more experienced Hollytrees B team from Brentwood and, with scintillating displays from the two girls in the team, ripped the opposition apart with a four try salvo in the opening half.

It had referee and Eels captain Mike Muir gasping for breath and he said: "Jeez - these girls were like lightning.

"As soon as they got the ball they were away and if anyone came near them they swerved out of the way so they couldn't lose their tags."

Hollytrees hit back after the break with a try, but Grange ran in another two to take the Plate back to Wickford.

In the Shield final Hollytrees 'A' faced up to old rival Pyrgo Primary of Romford and the two teams of youngsters served up a classic which the latter eventually narrowly won.

Published Thursday July 22, 2004

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