MORE than 230 pupils from schools around York district area descended on Clifton Park last week for the annual York RUFC Seven-a-side competition.

And this season's tournament took on special significance, with the trophies being dedicated to the memory of former Yorkshire RFU president Tony Williams, who died earlier this year.

Williams, a fervent supporter of the junior game, had previously ensured either he or a representative from the RFU would present the awards.

However, Doreen Williams took the honour of this year to hand over the trophies, named after her husband, to the winners of the three age categories.

The tournament, held to promote rugby union within schools, saw children in years eight, nine and ten and from nine different schools battle it out for the honours.

The year eight title went to Oaklands, with Tadcaster finishing as runners-up, while Fulford edged out Stokesley to win the year nine section. Tadcaster won the year ten crown, with Fulford runners-up.

Other schools to send teams to the PK Accommodation and RK Furniture-backed competition were Manor, Huntington, Millthorpe, Joseph Rowntree and Easingwold.

Thirsk School had hoped to take part, but despite desperate attempts by the school they could not manage to get transport for their three teams to the event.

Organiser Paul Kenyon said: "It was fantastic, a really good afternoon and a lot of credit for the success is down to the referees who help out.

"The idea of the competition is to promote rugby within schools and I always invite every school, whether they respond or not.

"A lot of schools are football-orientated and rugby tends not to get a look in, so hopefully this tournament helps develop the game."

FOOTBALL

THE Under 11, 12 and 13 York Boys matches against Sheffield this Saturday have been called off.

The full Under 12 squad of 21 players for the season is: Lewis Graham, Charles Woodhead, Chris Green, Luke Hillburn, Tom Wilson, Sam Harford (all Tadcaster); Scott Pallister, Luke Hall (both Canon Lee); Matthew Tasker (All Saints); Craig Smith, Jamie Robinson, Ross Lancaster (all Oaklands); Brad Swainston, Danny Wright (both Fulford); Tom Foley, Steve Clarke (both Archbishop's); Simon Brown (Joseph Rowntree); Danny Tuite, Craig Goodwin (both Lowfield); Ricky Hattan (Barlby); Luke Goldthorpe (Huntington).

From these players a squad of 15 will be selected for each match and the actual team will be selected from them.

Latest results

U12 SW League: All Saints 1, Tadcaster 3 (Rowley 2, Wilson 1); Manor 5, All Saints 2.

U13 Jubilee League: Archbishop's 6, Canon Lee 3.

U13 Jorvik League: All Saints 2, Burnholme 1.

U14 League: All Saints 0, Tadcaster 8 (P Brown 3, D Brown 2, Hall 2, Scott 1); Canon Lee 6, Archbishop's 3.

U15 League: All Saints 2, Burnholme 4; Tadcaster 4 (Walton 2, Carter 1, Lendhill 1) Oaklands 1; Tadcaster 1 (Carter 1) All Saints 1.

U16 Ebor League: All Saints 3, Manor 5; Barlby 1, Manor 0.

Harry Pannell (U15) Trophy: Bootham 2, Manor 7.

U12 Trophy: All Saints 1, Tadcaster 2 (Field, Tinker (pen)).

Primary Leagues: Osbaldwick 1, Appleton Roebuck 1 (Sharpe 1); Lakeside 'A' 1, St Aelred's 'A' 2; Lakeside 'B' 2, St Aelred's 'B' 1; Lakeside 'A' 6, Knavesmire 'A' 1; Lakeside 'B' 2, Knavesmire 'B' 0; Westfield 'A' 4, Clifton Green 'A' 1; Westfield 'B' 3, Clifton Green 'B' 0; New Earswick 0, Hempland 3 (Malarkey 2, Barratt 1); Bishopthorpe 'A' 0, Rbt Wilkinson 'A' 3; Bishopthorpe 'B' 1 (Flory 1), Rbt Wilkinson 'B' 0.

Updated: 11:51 Wednesday, October 02, 2002