Guinness Premiership : O2 Kick, Pass and Run Challenge finishes on a high

Jake Duxbury, Ben Langthorne and Curtis Russell with Gloucester Rugby’s Olly Morgan

O2 Kick, Pass and Run Challenge finishes on a high

18 May 2007, 1:37 pm

By Jonathan McConnell

Nine-year-old Ben Langthorne, twelve-year-old Jake Duxbury and fifteen-year-old Curtis Russell won their respective age groups of the O2 Kick, Pass and Run Challenge just before the Guinness Premiership Rugby Final in front of a 60,000 crowd at Twickenham.

The O2 Kick, Pass and Run Challenge, which is the country’s biggest rugby skills competition, featured children who had participated in one of the Premiership Rugby Academies that took place all over the country between October 2006 and Easter 2007. 4,500 children took part in regional finals, and Ben, Jake and Curtis who were representing the Newcastle Falcons, Leeds Tykes and Gloucester Rugby respectively made it down to the last 11 in their age groups.

All three of the set challenges involved kicking to a set distance, passing the ball through various sized ‘score’ holes and then an agility course which tests their swerving and sidestepping manoeuvres.

All three winners had an enjoyable day and took home a signed shirt of their choice courtesy of O2. Congratulations to all the winners!