Just like Leeds Rhinos, schoolgirls from Queensbury and Keighley felt the misery of a Powergen rugby league cup final defeat in Cardiff last weekend.

Queensbury, who won the Year Seven girls' event last year, were beaten 28-16 by Cardinal Newman from Warrington in the Girls' Year Eight final at the Champion Schools' Tour-nament.

Meanwhile, Holy Family School from Keigh-ley were defeated 40-32 by Airedale High School from Castleford in the girls' Year Seven final also held at Cardiff Athletics Stadium.

Emily Rudge and Jodie Cunningham proved the perfect double act as Cardinal Newman swept past Queensbury.

Rudge crossed twice and picked up the Lisa McIntosh player-of-the-match medal, while Jodie Cunningham powered over for four second-half tries. Danielle McKay also touched down as the Warrington school notched their victory in the Welsh sunshine.

Ashley Butler's try had given Queensbury hope in the first half but, trailing 12-4 at half-time, their task always looked difficult.

Alex Hill - daughter of former Bradford Northern, Halifax, Keighley and Great Brit-ain prop Brendan - Katie Langford and Brooke Mason went over for Queensbury in the second half, but they couldn't keep up with Cardinal Newman.

Queensbury teacher Rachael Ince said: "It's been a great, well-organised weekend. Becky Walsh and Charlotte Ingham showed particularly great commitment and sportsmanship."

Holy Family were committed but couldn't halt Airedale High front-rower Chelsea Danby, who stormed over for six tries to earmark herself as a future star of women's rugby league.

It was 16-16 at half-time but Danby proved the difference in the second half. Rebecca Mc-Lean completed her hat-trick, Lucie Shutt grabbed her second and Emma Maloney and Noshaba Hasan went over for Holy Family but they were outdone by Danby's powerhouse performance.

Holy Family teacher Lucy Walsh said: "It's been fantastic and a huge occasion. It's the first time the school has ever reached a sporting final and it's our first year of having a rugby league team."