Three local schools scooped the Plate, Bowl and Shield at Terrington Hall’s 14th annual U13 rugby sevens tournament, whilst another, Pocklington, narrowly missed out on the Cup when they lost in the final to Aysgarth.

Twenty schools from across the north of England and Scotland fielded 200 boys in the tournament, the largest event of its kind in the north.

After 40 highly competitive group-stage matches, Aysgarth, Merchiston, Pocklington and St Olave’s A emerged as semi-finalists for the Cup.

Barnard Castle, Cundall Manor, Mowden and Sedbergh were through to the Plate semi-finals; Easingwold, Giggleswick, St Martin’s Ampleforth and Yarm for the Bowl; and Bramcote/Woodleigh, Birkdale, Ryedale and St Olave’s B for the Shield.

The Cup final was fought out between Aysgarth and Pocklington who had beaten Merchiston (19-10) and St Olave’s A (17-12) respectively in two tight semi-finals in which the Pocklington/St Olave’s A encounter went to a golden try scored by Pocklington’s Benedict Fawcett.

The final of the Cup saw Aysgarth’s early two-try lead quickly answered by Pocklington’s Callum Stubbs and Jonty Atkinson and a half-time score of 12-12.

In the second half Aysgarth’s attacking superiority came to the fore and they pulled away with two further tries and a conversion to win the Cup 24-12 with two tries apiece from Aysgarth’s Ethan Madronal and Sam Hoddinott.

Meanwhile, Cundall Manor claimed a convincing 29-0 victory over Barnard Castle to take the Plate; St Martin’s Ampleforth beat Gigglewick 17-5 to take the Bowl, and Bramcote/Woodleigh overcame Ryedale 14-10 to take the Shield.

The trophy presentations were made by Terrington Hall headmaster Jon Glen who said: ‘My congratulations to the Aysgarth team whose flowing rugby, tenacious defence and attacking strength has been a pleasure to watch throughout the afternoon.’

During the presentations an award was made to Barnard Castle scrum half Joe Pickering who was voted Player of the Tournament by the assembled coaches and referees