The Tag Rugby 2022 British & Irish Cup took place over the weekend of September 3 at West Park Leeds RUFC, as Ireland were crowned winners in what was the closest contest in the tournament’s history.
After the completion of the two-day competition, Great Britain and Ireland found themselves tied on categories won – Great Britain had won in Women’s Open (4-0), Men’s Open (3-2) and Women’s Seniors (1-0) with Ireland taking the honours in Men’s 30s (4-0), Mixed Open (4-1) and Mixed Seniors (3-2).
This tie meant the tournament was decided on games won within the six eligible categories. Ireland edged this by a total of 13-11, meaning that had a single Irish win gone the other way through the weekend then the cup would have ended up in British hands.
A Men’s 40s exhibition series was played alongside the British & Irish Cup for the first time, with both countries agreeing that it would not count towards the overall result in the two team’s inaugural year. Great Britain snatched the win with a 3-2 series win.
Will Shepherd, the Try Tag Rugby Great Britain Programme Director, said: “It was disappointing to fall short of the overall series win, especially by such a narrow margin.
“However, all seven of our teams put in performances to be proud of over the weekend with the success of the Women’s programme a particular highlight.
“This caps a strong 2022 for Great Britain following our double success at the International Tag Series and allows us to look ahead to next year’s Tag World Cup with confidence and excitement!â€
It was yet another successful event for Try Tag Rugby, with an array of milestones in the history of the British & Irish Cup marked.
Not only was the contest the closest in the tournament’s history, but it was also the first to be decided over two days, with five tests played within each category and the first international tag tournament to take place in Yorkshire.
Great Britain Tag Rugby’s new Associate Partners and shirt sponsors, Oaklin, were also present.
The tournament stream was streamed across Our League along with Try Tag Rugby’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.
All the action from the main pitch on both the Saturday and Sunday can be watched on replay via Our League, and photos from the event can be found on the Great Britain Tag Rugby Facebook.
Category Results and Players of the Tournament
Women’s Open
Game 1: Great Britain 8 – 4 Ireland
Game 2: Great Britain 14 – 1 Ireland
Game 3: Great Britain 10 – 2 Ireland
Game 4: Great Britain 4 – 4 Ireland
Game 5: Great Britain 7 – 3 Ireland
Series Result: Great Britain 4 – 0 Ireland
Player of the Tournament: Emily Rona-Roper (Great Britain)
Women’s Seniors
Game 1: Great Britain 0 – 0 Ireland
Game 2: Great Britain 3 – 3 Ireland
Game 3: Great Britain 3 – 3 Ireland
Game 4: Great Britain 9 – 1 Ireland
Game 5: Great Britain 1 – 1 Ireland
Series Result: Great Britain 1 – 0 Ireland
Player of the Tournament: Claire Cunningham (Ireland)
Mixed Open
Game 1: Great Britain 6 – 12 Ireland
Game 2: Great Britain 3 – 5 Ireland
Game 3: Great Britain 5 – 8 Ireland
Game 4: Great Britain 7 – 5 Ireland
Game 5: Great Britain 9 – 10 Ireland
Series Result: Great Britain 1 – 4 Ireland
Female Player of the Tournament: Rachel Healy (Ireland)
Male Player of the Tournament: Tom Duggan (Ireland)
Mixed Seniors
Game 1: Great Britain 6 – 8 Ireland
Game 2: Great Britain 7 – 8 Ireland
Game 3: Great Britain 4 – 5 Ireland
Game 4: Great Britain 11 – 3 Ireland
Game 5: Great Britain 6 – 5 Ireland
Series Result: Great Britain 2 – 3 Ireland
Female Player of the Tournament: Amanda Scarfo (Great Britain)
Male Player of the Tournament: Darragh Conway (Ireland)
Men’s Open
Game 1: Great Britain 5 – 2 Ireland
Game 2: Great Britain 4 – 8 Ireland
Game 3: Great Britain 13 – 3 Ireland
Game 4: Great Britain 3 – 4 Ireland
Game 5: Great Britain 3 – 1 Ireland
Series Result: Great Britain 3 – 2 Ireland
Player of the Tournament: Ollie Greenhill (Great Britain)
Men’s 30s
Game 1: Great Britain 4 – 6 Ireland
Game 2: Great Britain 4 – 9 Ireland
Game 3: Great Britain 3 – 4 Ireland
Game 4: Great Britain 4 – 7 Ireland
Game 5: Great Britain 5 – 5 Ireland
Series Result: Great Britain 0 – 4 Ireland
Player of the Tournament: Matt Kennerson (Ireland)
Men’s 40s
Game 1: Great Britain 3 – 5 Ireland
Game 2: Great Britain 5 – 3 Ireland
Game 3: Great Britain 3 – 6 Ireland
Game 4: Great Britain 4 – 3 Ireland
Game 5: Great Britain 5 – 3 Ireland
Series Result: Great Britain 3 – 2 Ireland
Player of the Tournament: Alan Conboy (Ireland)
Ireland now leads the British & Irish Cup 7-1 all-time
British Referee of the Tournament: Alex Davies
Irish Referee of the Tournament: Simon Edgecombe
GIVE TAG A TRY!
