Selby Warriors’ “Ignite Your Flame” festival of rugby league beat the weather thanks to the work of volunteers – and it produced gratifying results for the club.

Heavy rain put the event in doubt but the efforts to make pitches playable paid off.

The festival included tag and touch rugby for all ages and abilities, plus junior games which saw Selby Warriors Under-14s thump Wetherby Bulldogs U14s 66-6, the Warriors’ new U16s team beat Moorends 44-6 in their first run-out, and the club’s U12s see off King Cross Park 46-4.

Warriors spokesman Craig Hazell said: “The the club wishes to thank all the volunteers that helped to ensure the ‘Ignite Your Flame’ festival of rugby went ahead. Without all the hard work the day would have not even started.”

The U14s match doubled as a Yorkshire Junior League match and Selby Cup final, and Wetherby proved no match for title-chasing Selby, for whom full-back Ben Morris was rewarded for his ever-improving performances with his first two tries this term.

Morris has greatly benefited from inclusion in the North Yorkshire Service Area development squad.

Other tries came from stand-off Brandon Harris, who also added nine goals, captain and man-of-the-match Chaz Fothergil (2), centre Theo Cieply, Leon Spowage (2), scrum-half Jamie Graley, second-row Jonny Black (2), prop Sam Stephenson. Wetherby managed a consolation through their top performer, scrum-half Tom Shortell.

Selby’s new U16s side, coached by Brayton College teacher Todd Wain, had a super first outing, with Jack Fothergill and Danny Simpson among those to shine, and, for the Warriors U12s, Oliver Rainer scored scored his second hat-trick in as many games.

Other try-scorers were Thomas Kilgar (2), who also added five goals, Ollie Turvey, Jacob Mattison, Lester Massey and Grant Dickinson.

Selby Warriors are keen to start new junior teams at U8s, U9s, U10s, U11s, U13s and U15s levels.

Player participation is on the up due to the work of Selby rugby league development officer Adam Prentis, but the club need people to manage and coach the teams.

Anyone interested would, if necessary, be put through coaching courses by the club so previous experience is not essential. Phone Craig Hazell on 07747164967 or Dave Sowden on 07585 801152 for details.