RUGBY Union at a North Yorkshire prep school has a crystal-clear future.

Four of Terrington Hall's first team players play with Malton and Norton Rugby Union Club's juniors and three members of staff have skippered club sides in the last four years.

This month, what headmaster Jon Glen describes as a "working relationship" was stepped up when Malton and Norton sponsored and presented a set of shirts sporting the emblem of both club and school.

The hand-over coincided with the stop-over at Terrington of the Cook Trophy, a crystal vase which on October 30 began its journey from Whitby to the rugby union homeland of Twickenham.

There it will be launched on November 18 as the annual Ashes-like challenge for future matches between England and Australia.

The new hooped shirts, in the school colours of yellow and blue, will be handed over prior to the match between Terrington and first-time visitors Westbourne School, from Sheffield.

"We're delighted with the shirts which cements a very good working relationship between the club and Terrington," said Glen.

"Our boys are coached by Tim Chapman, who has previously captained the club and continues to play in the first team."