AN electricity and gas supplier encouraged Teesside youngsters to burn up their own energy yesterday by sponsoring two sporting events.

Npower hosted the 2003 Tag Rugby Festival in Middlesbrough and the Cricket Power Day team visited a Yarm school to celebrate the start of the Test series.

Twelve teams from primary schools across Middlesbrough scrummed down with ex-England international Ben Clarke at Acklam Rugby Club, in Talbot Park Saltersgill Sports Pavilion.

More than 150 children took part in the tag-taster sessions with the back row forward.

He provided hands-on coaching to both youngsters and their teachers in two separate sessions, in which he passed on his years of experience.

The teams then put their skills into practice against each other with Easterside Junior School Two beating Kader Primary in the final, while Beechwood Primary won the fair play award

All competitors received a certificate and a water bottle. All the schools received sets of tag rugby equipment so they can continue the sport.

Yarm Primary School was chosen for the cricket-themed day after npower employee Martin Monaghan, whose son Matthew attends the school, won a competition at work.

The day featured a series of cricket workshops, run by trained representatives, including a combination of activities, videos and team challenges.