YORK RUFC Under-9s are celebrating victories at the Driffield Mini-Festival and the Harrogate Festival – just days after securing an appearance at Twickenham.

The Clifton Park club fielded a mixed squad of 12 boys and girls in the Driffield tournament in a bid to defend their crown.

They never looked troubled in the group stages, beating Guisborough, Hornsea and Hull Ionians.

A strong performance, both in defence and attack, saw York rack up 17 tries in the group stages, while only conceding one.

Although the final was closer, the result was never in doubt and York came out 2-0 winners over Rochdale.

On the same day, another mixed squad of 12 was sent to the Harrogate Festival. They also came back victorious after beating Sandal 2-0 in the final.

York will now tour Wilmslow before their trip to Twickenham as part of the finale to the Nottingham Festival next month.

York’s U12s side were also successful at the Driffield tournament.

They drew 7-7 with the hosts in the final and, under competition rules, the trophy was shared.

York were undefeated throughout the tournament, coming through the group stages against Rochdale, Beverley and Bridlington.

Meanwhile, Malton and Norton U10s’ Easter tour ended with three wins, after the youngsters lost their opening two matches.

In first match against hosts Ormskirk, Malt went down 2-1 with Jack Charters scoring their try.

The second match against Ormskirk resulted in a 3-2 defeat, with Jamie Knaggs and Jake Newsome on the scoresheet.

Malton finally clicked in their third match against Ormskirk, winning 5-0 with tries from Will Fordy (2), Benedict Fawcett (2) and Jo Nordli.

On day two the action moved to Leeds and Malton picked up where they left off, with a 7-0 win over Bramley. Fordy scored his third of the tour with Knaggs (2), Fawcett, Toby Wrightson, Elliot Hockenhull and Harry Butler also touching down.

In the final match, tries from Butler, Wrightson and Charters were enough to see off Roundhegians 3-2.

Owen Hayhurst was named Rodgers of York Man of Steel.

• Selby RUFC U15s beat a strong touring Rochdale side 45-31 at Sandhill Lane.

Oliver O’Brian-Elliot scored twice and there were also scores for captain Adam Wass, Lindon Wedgewood, James Robinson, Jacob Robinson and Joe Middleton.

Josh Cruise kicked five conversions.