York Under-11 Schoolboys slipped to a 5-2 defeat in the West Yorkshire Cup final but still had plenty to celebrate after the most successful season ever for a York schoolboys side.

Sheffield got their revenge for a number of close tussles during the season when they took the lead in the first minute and, after Alex Needham's equaliser, swept 5-1 ahead before Jake McCormick pulled back a late consolation.

It was the worst result of the season, not helped by the absence of inspirational captain Connor Qualter, but it was hardly a reflection of an incredible few months.

They won the Yorkshire League for the first time in 25 years, averaging nearly six goals for per game against just one conceded, and were North Yorkshire seven-a-side champions.

They lifted the Green 'Un Cup for the first time since its inception in 1965, and were Yorkshire Cup and West Yorkshire Cup runners-up.

They also went undefeated in the North Tyneside festival of football without letting in a single goal.

Manager Ian Hutchinson said: "If I had to highlight one game, it would have to be when we played Bradford. We beat them 9-0 but Bradford weren't a poor team and actually finished in the top three themselves.

"But they really worked their socks off and that game really sums up the way they worked.

"I think they are generally a great bunch of individual footballers who all got on socially as well and we never had any trouble with any of them."

Five players will be leaving the team after this season after catching the eye of professional academies.

Qualter, Charlie Clamp, Sam Byram and Needham have all been snapped up by Leeds United, with McCormick on the books at York City's Centre of Excellence.

Top scorer Jacob Gore won the player of the year with Qualter taking the player's player vote. The end of season party will be at the Marcia in Bishopthorpe on July 1, starting 7.30pm.

Trials for next year's U11s for players who are in Year Five now, take place on Monday at the Sixth-Form College, starting at 6pm.

The first Junior Sports Festival held at Oaklands School was a great success.

Sports including tag rugby, Kwik Cricket, basketball and even an obstacle relay were tackled by 83 children from Rufforth and St Mary's Primary schools.

Twelve pupils from Oaklands who are all taking their Junior Sports Leadership Award course, helped out with the day's events.

ST Olave's School, York, look like the team to beat in the U13s boys' section of the Nestl York Schools' tennis competition.

They hit top form in their recent matches by beating Joseph Rowntree 5-1 and whitewashing Bootham 6-0.

Pocklington enjoyed a convincing 5-1 sets win against Joseph Rowntree but 4-2 to Tadcaster.

In the U15s Boys League, Pocklington defeated Bootham 4-2.

Updated: 10:50 Wednesday, June 15, 2005