A YOUNG apprentice won the junior section of a regional bricklaying contest – but had to dash off to play rugby before collecting his prize!

Josh Smith, 18, was tops in his category at the Guild of Bricklayers Yorkshire competition.

However he had to hotfoot it to Cougar Park from the event to appear on the wing for Keighley Cougars reserves, against a British Army team. The home side lost 32-39.

His success in the bricklaying contest means that Josh, a student at Bradford College, is now competing in the national finals – which take place next Thursday (June 20) in Liverpool.

Josh was victorious in the Yorkshire event despite initially being inadvertently set the senior-section task, a mistake that wasn't spotted until he was 40 minutes into the project.

Tribute is paid to the teenager by his college brickwork tutor, Joe Lumb.

He said: "For Josh to win the junior section despite the early confusion shows not just his skill and professionalism, but also his dedication and ability to adapt and cope with pressure.

"He is a great ambassador for the college and for his employer, Archcraft Builders in Bradford.

"Josh works incredibly hard and was up against some very talented competitors in the Yorkshire round."