THE first rugby match for Queensbury ARLFC U16s following the death earlier this month of teammate Harry Sykes, 16, took place this afternoon at home at Asa Briggs Park, in Queensbury.

The side kicked off against West Leeds at 11.45am following a minute's applause in memory of Harry whose funeral service is due to take place tomorrow, Monday, at Parkwood Crematorium, Elland, at 3.15pm.

This is being followed by a celebration of his life at Brighouse Sports Club.

His body had been recovered from a lake near Carcassonne, in southern France, earlier this month after he was reported missing.

Harry, who is believed to have lived in Clayton Heights and was a former pupil of Lightcliffe Academy, had been travelling on a rugby trip with team mates from the Halifax Elite Rugby Academy.

He also played at prop for Queensbury ARLFC, joining the junior side when he was nine years old, and was in his seventh season with the current under-16s.

Sunday's match against West Leeds was a fundraiser for The Harry Sykes Fund, in memory of Harry and a way of raising money for the RFL Benevolent Fund to assist local young people access rugby league.

All proceeds on the day of the match from tea, coffee, drinks and raffles will be going towards the fund.

Donations can be made on the JustGiving fundraising page here.