TWO sets of gold medals were needed at this year's Cheltenham Primary Schools Touch Rugby League competition as even sudden death extra-time could not separate Leckhampton Primary and Bishop's Cleeve in the final.

The competition, hosted at the University of Gloucestershire's Folley Sports Ground, is part of the Rugby Football League’s (RFL) Sky Try initiative that has already seen over a thousand young people receive coaching and competition in rugby league across primary and secondary schools.

The programme is being delivered by the community department of the University of Gloucestershire All Golds, with a team of 9 part-time coaches combining their roles with studying or playing for the club's first team.

The competition saw some great play straight from the start, with 20 teams from eight Cheltenham primary schools playing initially in four groups of five teams.

In group one, Leckhampton faced stiff opposition from Gretton Primary's B team and Naunton Park Primary, who had a strong team in each group, but managed to win the group with four wins.

Gretton A topped group two, despite drawing their first game, posting strong wins over Shurdington and Gloucester Road and in group three, Bishop's Cleeve A swept all before them without conceding a single try. The final group came down to the last game with Warden Hill overcoming Naunton Park to make it into the play-offs.

A straight knockout semi-final format in the play-offs saw Leckhampton squeeze past Warden Hill while Bishop's Cleeve defeated Gretton to set up what was to prove to be an epic final. During the group stages the two teams had combined to score 21 tries and concede no tries and the strong defensive play came to the fore in the final.

Despite playing regulation time and an extended period of golden try extra time both teams were in deadlock and the decision was made to declare both teams’ joint winners.

University of Gloucestershire All Golds, head of community, Dan Garbutt, was pleased with the tournament,  he said: "Although there have been plenty of tries scored today that was a fantastic display of defensive effort and the standard of play was indicative of all the teams that played today."

Following the competition the All Golds announced they will be launching a club for 8-11 year olds in Cheltenham, which will take place over the summer.

Garbutt confirmed: "We are putting the finishing touches to our club offer and will be getting around schools in the next month to launch it. We've also decided to put the naming of the club in the hands of the players, so watch this space.

"This rugby league club will be a fantastic opportunity for local kids to engage further in this fantastic sport."