by Steve Boothroyd
Girls’ and boys’ teams from west Leeds schools have been amongst the Leeds & Hunslet Schools’ Rugby League trophy winners over the past few weeks.
The Farnley year 8 girls’ side showed plenty of skill and determination to win the city-wide indoor touch rugby championship with victories over Trinity, Morley and Allerton Grange, who all provided tough competition.
Crawshaw’s year 10 boys’ team delivered a top-class performance to defeat Allerton Grange in the Harrison Shield Final.
The trophy – over 100 years old – is named after Thomas Vernon Harrison, a Hunslet headmaster, who was the first chairman of Leeds Schools’ Rugby League in 1903 and also the first chairman of Hunslet SRL when they formed their own association in 1921.
Crawshaw led comfortably at half-time; Allerton Grange fought back well in the second half, but the Pudsey boys kept their lead and ran out winners by 42 points to 24.
Their stand off, Woody Potter, was named as player of the match for his organisation and control of the game, but Crawshaw gave a fine display of team rugby in attack and defence and had a number of impressive players.
Thanks to funding from the Leeds Schools’ Sports Association, the teams and spectators were able to enjoy the excellent facilities of the South Leeds Stadium.
Schools’ rugby league events next term include girls’ contact competitions, boys’ “nines” tournaments and primary school festivals.
For more information about the schools’ rugby league in the city, log on to the Leeds & Hunslet SRL Facebook page Leeds & Hunslet Schools’ Rugby League | Facebook, or the organisation’s website.