Four closely-contested matches showcase the future stars of Yorkshire rugby

The crisp September morning at Selby Rugby Club bore witness to something special on Sunday, as the U13s kicked off their new season against visiting Harrogate. With fresh shirts bearing the proud sponsorship of Read School Drax, this was more than just a first fixture – it was a celebration of youth rugby at its most pure.

Twenty-eight eager faces in Selby colours, matched by an equally impressive turnout from Harrogate, meant the squads could be divided into two for four quarters of fast-paced action on the expanded pitches with their new contested six-man scrums.

Game One: Drama from the First Whistle

Selby fell just short in a pulsating 3-2 defeat, with Oscar opening the scoring before Guy produced the moment of the match. Collecting the ball deep in his own territory, the young flyer delivered a textbook hand-off and embarked on a length-of-the-pitch sprint, complete with a jubilant celebration under the posts that captured the pure joy of youth rugby.

Game Two: Deadlock Drama

A thrilling 2-2 draw showcased contrasting styles of brilliance. Tyler's try was a masterclass in opportunism – Cal's outstanding counter-rucking secured a crucial penalty on the halfway line, and when the ball was popped to Tyler, he charged straight at the Harrogate pack, bursting through three tackles before sprinting clear to the corner. Will's effort was equally impressive – raw strength carrying him through defenders to score beneath the posts.

Game Three: Individual Brilliance

Harrogate's number 18 stole the show with a hat-trick, including a delicate chip over the Selby defence before collecting and diving over. Even in a 3-0 defeat, scrum-half Toby in his distinctive white cap produced two bone-jarring tackles that exemplified Selby's never-say-die spirit.

Game Four: The Great Fightback

Trailing 3-0 after some loose defending, Selby responded with character. Will completed a remarkable day with two more tries to secure his hat-trick across the matches – first slipping a tackle to sprint clear, then finishing brilliantly after Guy's excellent work under the high ball.

The Bigger Picture

Head coach Elliot summed up the afternoon perfectly: "The tackling and commitment was excellent today. I was particularly pleased with the scrummaging – we've been working hard with the forwards. Harrogate were excellent opponents, with the teams well matched across all games."

As the sun set on Selby's season opener, the scorelines mattered less than the smiles on 50-plus young faces. With performances like these, the future of Yorkshire rugby looks bright indeed.

Final scores: Harrogate won 2-1 on games, with one drawn