Tadcaster and Oaklands Schools got among the silverware at the annual York area schools seven-a-side rugby union competition at York RUFC's. Clifton Park.

Eleven schools from the York area, involving about 250 boys from years 8, 9 and 10 playing a record number of matches.

Tadcaster 'A' won Year 10 with Oaklands finishing as runners-up and shared the Year 9 trophy with Oaklands. Tadcaster were also runners-up to Fulford in Year 8.

One of the two coaches of the Oaklands team was maths teacher Keith Bichel who is on a year's placement at the school from Australia. He is a cousin of Andy Bichel, the Australian Test cricketer. Brian Shenton, the junior vice-chairman of Yorkshire RFU, presented the medals.

The competition, sponsored by PK Accommodation Ltd and RK Furniture, had been postponed from March because of the foot and mouth crisis.

Football

New Earswick opened their York Primary league's season with a 3-1 win over Bishopthorpe.

Armstrong, Fernandez, Rogers were on target for New Earswick with R Carlyle responding for Bishopthorpe.

Schools are asked to send all results immediately to Peter Wilmott, 217 Beckfield Lane, Acomb, York, Y026 5PH (tel 01904 791416).

Schools are to decide on venues and confirmation of matches.

In the primary leagues the fixture arrangements are the responsibility of each participating school.

The six league winners will play each other in a league tournament to decide the overall champions on Saturday, April 27.

This week's Secondary School matches are: All Saints v Archbishop's, Barlby v Lowfield, Burnholme v Canon Lee, Fulford v Huntington, Joseph Rowntree v Millthorpe, Manor v Sherburn, Oaklands v Tadcaster.

The Parent Teachers' 5-a-side Trophy competition will be played on Saturday at Copmanthorpe, from 9.30am. The groups are:

Group A: Wigginton, Woodthorpe, St Wilfrid's, St. Aelred's, Lakeside, Clifton Without.

Group B: Clifton Green, Barlby Bridge, Headlands, Robert Wilkinson, Park Grove, English Martyrs.

Group C: Rufforth, Osbaldwick, Copmanthorpe, Appleton Roebuck, St. George's, St. Lawrence.

Group D: Poppleton Road, Skelton, New Earswick, Ralph Butterfield, Dringhouses, Tang Hall.

The team with the most points will win each league. Should there be a tie, the following criteria in order will take effect - goal difference, goals scored, result between the two teams in the league. If the two teams still have an identical record, a penalty shoot-out will apply - out of five attempts, then sudden death.

The winners of each league will play in knock-out semi-finals and the winners of each of these will play in the final as follows:

Pitch 1: Winner A v Winner B

Pitch 2: Winner C v Winner D

Athletics

The first meeting of the York and District Schools' Athletic Association is due to take place tomorrow, at Huntington Secondary School (5pm).

The association could do with more help from the York area's teachers. The association is the umbrella body which supports both Primary and Secondary School sports activities.

Nestl Rowntree Athletics Club is in urgent need of coaches to help out on training nights - Mondays and Wednesdays.

Anyone interested in becoming involved should contact Ian Wilcock on 01904 411918.

Updated: 13:31 Wednesday, September 19, 2001