Successful rugby festival at St Joseph's College in Ipswich

St Joseph’s College, based in Belstead Road, had a crowd of 5,000 watching the competition and a whopping 150,000 people tuning into the games online.

The festival sees the top rugby-playing schools from around the UK competing across three days.

150,000 viewers tuned in on Saturday to watch the games (Image: Andrew Cliff) Fred Wenham, director of sport, said the standard of the players was “absolutely exceptional” this year.

“It’s been incredible. We’re delighted with how the things have gone and everything has been really positive. It’s been a really nice community event,” said Mr Wenham.

The event took place across three days with 16 schools from around Britain involved in the under 18 competition, and eight schools participating in the under 15 competition.

Schools as far afield as Ireland and Scotland travelled to take part.

St Joseph's College run the festival annually (Image: Andrew Cliff) The event began on Friday with an alumni reunion and old boys and girls rugby and netball matches.

For the first time, the festival hosted an U15 and U11s tournaments alongside the main event to offer local schools and clubs the chance to participate.

The U15 played on Friday, and Saturday was the group stages for the U18 teams.

On the final day of the festival, spectators enjoyed the U18 final and the U11 tournament.

Mr Wenham said: “St Jo’s traditionally will come through their huge tunnel and this year we’ve had some flames and music as they come out onto the pitch. There has been a really strong atmosphere.”

The rugby festival is now in its 38th year after launching in 1986 to commemorate the school's Golden jubilee. 

The event stretched over three days (Image: Andrew Cliff) The sports director praised the work of the school's team which boasts 11 academy players.

The academy system is designed to produce players for the sport's Premiership as well as future England stars.

Mr Wenham mentioned players Fergus Cherrington, the St Joseph’s team captain, and Jack Lawrence and his hopes the team "go on to bigger and better things after this”.

Mr Wenham helped put together the event along with St Joseph’s staff including Lucy Self and Anthony O'Riordan.