Competition between some of the top firms in Bristol’s property industry was played out on the pitch in a hotly contested touch rugby tournament that raised £3,000 for charity.
More than 150 players from 15 firms took part in the Paramount Property Tag Rugby Tournament, with the funds raised funds going to the Bristol Bears Community Foundation, which runs life-changing programmes in the areas of education, participation, health and inclusion. 
The mixed seven-a-side tournament, played at Cotham Park Rugby Club’s Failand ground, was hosted by commercial refurbishment specialists Paramount and organised by its business development manager Sulli Gardner and Carter Jonas senior building surveyor Jacob Winterbottom,
A team from construction firm Mace ran out winners, pipping commercial agents Colliers and Bristol architects Spratley & Partners into second and third place, respectively.
Other teams came from Carter Jonas, Knight Frank, LSH, Box Twenty, Paramount, Stride Treglown, Cushman & Wakefield, Clarkebond, CBRE, JLL, Savills and CSquared.
Sulli Gardner said: “It was great to see everyone coming together in the name of a good cause to raise valuable funds to support the sterling work of the Bristol Bears Community Foundation. 
“To raise £3,000 is a fantastic effort and I’d like to say a sincere ‘thank you’ to everyone who rose to the challenges on and off the field of play to make sure the Bristol Property Tag Rugby Tournament was so enjoyable and such a huge success.”
Jacob Winterbottom added: “There’s a healthy amount of friendly rivalry among us all off the pitch, and funnily enough it was the same on it when the rugby got under way.
“After a lot of planning, it was really good to see the day taking shape, with everyone looking to do their companies proud while raising money for a great cause.”
Bristol Bears Community Foundation community development manager Craig Capel and his colleagues Simon Weaver and Geraint Lewis took responsibility for refereeing duties along with Cubex associate director Sarah Trahair-Williams and former Exeter Chiefs player Matt Jess.
Matt, who helped Exeter win the Premiership title, said: “There’s nothing like rugby to bring people together and the way they all united in the name of such a good cause and had lots of fun while they were at it, spoke volumes.
“I loved the inclusivity of the event with all the teams being mixed and I was really impressed with the levels of skill and commitment on and off the rugby pitch. It was a brilliant event.”
The event was supported by Bristol-based Sounds Commercial, which provided the musical backdrop, officials from Cotham Park Rugby Club and Big Nath’s BBQ, which provided the food.
Other businesses supporting the fundraising drive with top-quality raffle prizes were restaurant group Bianchis, Harbour House, Bristol Sport and the organisers of the NASS Festival and The Weekender Festival.
Bristol Bears Community Foundation works with more than 8,000 people from the local community each year and is regularly recognised for its work on a national scale, winning numerous Parliamentary Awards since 2008.
Pictured, top: The winning Mace team celebrate their success with former Exeter wing Matt Jess, far left. Above: Team captains and officials line up ahead of the tournament
