NOVICE rugby league players braved the cold to display their new-found skills under the gaze of a regional rugby league development officer.

Lisa Jagger has spent the past three years spreading the word about the 13-a-side game beyond its traditional heartland of the M62 corridor in Yorkshire and Lancashire.

She and other development officers have visited several schools in the east Durham area recently, introducing a basic nine-a-side form of the game.

All the schools came together yesterday to put the advice into practice on the pitch at Peterlee Newtown FC's ground, which is shared with the Peterlee Pumas rugby league team.

Seven-a-side mixed teams from Blackhall Colliery Primary, St Joseph's RC Primary, also from Blackhall, South Hetton Primary, Shotton Colliery Primary, Wheatley Hill Primary, Deaf Hill Primary and a guest primary school team from Shiney Row, in nearby Wearside, went head-to-head in a series of games in the first mini-rugby festival.

Most of the usual rules of the 13-a-side version of the game applied, including tackling, although as a time-saving device there were no conversions or scrummages.

Lisa said she was impressed by the attitude of the youngsters.

"It has been brilliant, a really good day and everyone seemed to enjoy it.

"It was really cold but they were so keen they forgot about the conditions and just got on with the games."

All the children left with a certificate and some treats. There were no league tables kept, except in the fair play category, which was won by St Joseph's RC Primary.

Although the North-East is on the fringes of rugby league territory it will have two teams playing in the new national league next season, with Gateshead Thunder in division two and Teesside Steelers, in division four.