TONBRIDGE School have won the National Under-21 Rugby Festival at Motspur Park after holding off a fierce early challenge from St John's Leatherhead to win 19-0.

The Cronk-Cunis Cup was presented to Tonbridge captain William Soutar by Bob Taylor, president of the Rugby Football Union.

The festival has grown into a major event and was granted official 'national' status by the RFU last year.

On Sunday, 36 teams of old boys competed in Cup, Plate, Bowl and Vase competitions, with some 750 players involved in 56 matches on eight pitches at the KCS Old Boys & Old Blues ground in Surrey.

The RFU President paid tribute to the important role played by this festival in ensuring that players are not lost to the game and forming an effective bridge between school and club rugby.

Mr Taylor said: "This festival is clearly a great encouragement for old boys to continue playing when they leave school.

"It does seem to be an ideal way of giving them that extra push to remain involved."