AN uphill struggle on the slopes is awaiting two talented North Yorkshire schoolboy skiers.

Adam Lee, from Clifton, York, and Ian Stirk, from Great Thirkleby, near Thirsk, are among five boys from England chosen to represent their country at the Schools' World Cup next year.

They will go head to head with some of the best skiing countries in the world, including the likes of France and Austria whose youngsters start skiing almost before they can walk.

But that will not faze the Easingwold School pair, who have been outstanding in their own country this year.

Adam, aged 15, became British Schools' dry slope champion in Llandudno then the following day won the North East Championship at Silksworth, Sunderland.

Then he added to his success at Swadlincote last month when he was crowned English Schools' dry slope champion, an event in which Ian, aged 16, finished a fine fourth out of more than 50 competitors.

Adam competed in the World Cup when it was held two years ago in Czechoslovakia. He will be aiming to do even better when he heads out with Ian for next year's competition in Prolognan, France, in March.

RUGBY UNION

ST Peter's School, York, have taken a significant step towards an appearance at Twickenham in the Daily Mail Schools' Cup.

The have reached the last 16 of the prestigious competition after beating Harrogate's Ashville College 33-6.

All the points were scored in a 20-minute spell before the interval during which St Peter's took maximum advantage of Ashville's bad kicking..

Tries by Ben Taylor, Mark Spilman, Rob Greetham, Dan Lloyd and Robert Brown all came in the first half for St Peter's. Spilman added a conversion and two penalties to give the home side a winning advantage.

Two penalties by Daniel Irish were Ashville's only reward during that amazing spell.

Neither side were able to score in the second-half and St Peter's eased through to the fourth round where they will travel to meet the winners of today's encounter between Durham School and Bradford Grammar.

Fulford beat reigning champions Prince Henry Grammar School, Otley, 27-14 in the Yorkshire Rugby Union Schools' Cup and were playing Benton Park (Leeds) in today's second round.

James Goodwin, Reubin Witcerly and Adam Downs ran in three first-half tries for Fulford.

Further tries were added after the turnaround by Jonathan Williamson and Joe Foote. Simon White added one conversion.

BASKETBALL

U14 League: Fulford 81, Joseph Rowntree 14; Fulford 47, Boston Spa 46; Fulford 56, Bootham 31.

U16 League: Fulford 59, Burnholme 12; Fulford 48, Bootham 43; Fulford 49, All Saints 26.