BUDDING sports stars ‘scrum-bled’ to compete in a schools rugby tournament held in Inverkip.

Around 40 players from Gourock, Moorfoot and Inverkip primaries battled it out in the first fixtures of the league this year.

The league for primary seven pupils was set up on the back of contact rugby coaching sessions which have taken place within local schools.

Brendan McGroarty, rugby sports development officer with Inverclyde Council’s active schools team, says the initiative has proved a great success — and the young players are quickly picking up the etiquette of the game.

Brendan said: “The youngsters love it.

“There was a bit of football mentality at first with kids shouting at the referee but they’ve been told if you do that in rugby ‘you’re off’.

“We want to bring in some good sportmanship.” Schools have been flocking to sign up to the league and there are 13 teams taking part over two divisions.

The programme follows on from a primary six festival last year.

Brendan says the image of rugby is changing, which had widened its appeal.

He said: “Looking at the top level players, they’re not big brusiers running into each other — it’s a fast athletic game.

“The image is changing, and the focus is on speed.” The ex-Greenock Wanderers star says there is a good network in Inverclyde to promote the sport, with mini and midi clubs in place for primary school and secondary school pupils.

Gourock came out on top by beating both Inverkip and Moorfoot — and the top teams in the league set-up will go through to the finals.

See today's Tele for full pictures.