THE cream of Yorkshire's young rugby union players are on the rise at St Peter's School, York.

Seven members of the first team have won county honours this season while winger Josh Storrs has also represented Yorkshire at U16 level.

St Peter's magnificent seven at U18 level are - Ali McLeod (open side flanker), from York, Ben Hough (full-back) from Malton, boarder Jason Burton (blind-side flanker) York-based Will Butler (hooker), Harrogate-based duo Peter Wackett (outside centre) and James Marsden (left wing), and 6ft 4in Tom Denton (second row), who lives at Whitwell-on-the-Hill, near Malton.

Denton is also a member of the Leeds Tykes U19 side.

Yorkshire will next be in action at U18 level against Northumberland tomorrow. The following Sunday they are scheduled to tackle Lancashire.

St Peter's senior side were in action in the Daily Mail National Schools competition at Barnard Castle this week and progressed a step further towards the final at Twickenham with a 22-18 victory.

In the earlier rounds St Peter's beat South Hunsley 50-0, Leeds GS 50-0 and Hymers College 10-3. They received a bye in the first round.

At U15 level in the Daily Mail competition, St Peter's have ousted Millthorpe 27-5 and Ampleforth College 25-0 in the opening rounds.

Updated: 10:16 Saturday, November 27, 2004