Prince Henry's get glory in Yorkshire finals

8:57am Tuesday 6th May 2008

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Otley's Prince Henry's Grammar School rugby union first XV have triumphed on a foreign field'.

They beat Hall Cross School from Doncaster 18-6 at Harrogate Army Foundation College in a hard-fought contest to win the Army-sponsored Duke of Wellington's Regiment Shield, which is presented by the Yorkshire Regiment.

The teams were evenly matched in the under-18 Yorkshire Schools' competition but it was the strength of the Prince Henry's pack and their ability to create more ball which was the deciding factor.

Major David Harrap of The Yorkshire Regiment said: "This was a tremendous achievement and the match proved beyond doubt that their places were wholly deserved.

"It was a real pleasure to watch such high-quality physical and committed rugby being played.

"Well done to both teams but particularly to Prince Henry's who were worthy winners."

Lt Col Andrew Jackson, Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, presented the shield and said: "This was as hard-fought and skillful a match as any.

"It's hugely rewarding to see the skills of these young players. The Army, and particularly The Yorkshire Regiment, which is home to many of the Army's current generation of exceptional players, is delighted to be able to support schoolboy rugby in our home county and recruiting area."

Prince Henry's made it a county double by winning the under-15 final for the Ian Briars Cup by beating Richmond School 27-6, while Leeds Grammar School took the Jack Hempsall Cup for under-14s by defeating Ermysted's Grammar School from Skipton 20-5.

* Yorkshire Under-16s ended the season with nine wins from nine matches, scoring a total of 287 points while conceding only 38.

They completed their campaign with victories over Border Reivers and Edinburgh, which were the last of five straight matches against Scottish regional teams, having begun the season with a quartet of inter-county fixtures.

The for and against column not only reveals the calibre of this season's squad, but also the tremendous strength in depth, given that nine players were provided for the England under-16 teams.

The final weekend of matches at Huddersfield YMCA brought a 32-5 win over the Border Reivers and a 19-10 success against Edinburgh, the latter result probably being the the best of the season in what was a top-class contest.

Fly half Christian Georgiou (Old Brodleians) converted Yorkshire's initial try against the Borders, which was scored by winger Jason Simmons (Harrogate), and he also improved the well-taken effort by winger Tom McTurk (Hull Ionians), as well as adding a penalty to take the score to 17-0.

With the pack in the ascendancy, the first half finished with a try for captain Jonathan Gatus (Rotherham Titans) after an impressive driving maul.

With the wind at their backs, the Borderers cut the deficit with a try, but this spurred Yorkshire back into action and a brilliant individual try was scored by Christian and another by lock Jonathon Okihere (Hull Ionians) completed the win.

Conditions against the reivers were ideal for open rugby but heavy rain meant they had to work hard for their success against Edinburgh 24 hours later.

Edinburgh led 3-0 at half-time but paid for over ambition when Tom intercepted an ambitious pass and weaved his way through the visitors' defence to score by the posts after a 55-yard gallop.

Christian converted easily and further tries followed for Tom and lock Will Lund (Bradford Grammar) from a drive by the forwards, centre Lewis Barmby (Hull Ionians) converting. Edinburgh got a late converted try.