KEIGHLEY Rugby Union Football Club have staged another tasty schools' match between Parkside and Oakbank as a curtain-raiser to a first-team match.

Parkside, whose forwards made good use of their early possession, triumphed 30-24 in the Year Eight contest that displayed everything that was good about the sport, with the competitive element being appreciated by those arriving early for the Keighley v Bradford Salem Yorkshire Division One derby.

Oakbank's backs came into the contest more later on, and Parkside teacher Mathew Cox said: "It was great to see so many of the lads from years seven and eight being involved with rugby union.

"The work we have done in conjunction with the Keighley junior coaches is having a positive impact on the boys involved.

"We re-introduced rugby to Parkside in September last year, and we now have more than 20 kids attending our after-school Friday Rugby Club, which is fantastic.

"I am pleased that we can all share the positive benefits that rugby fosters – teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship."

Oakbank teacher Mathew Lloyd added: "Oakbank are proud to be involved with Keighley Rugby Union Club, and having fixtures like this really give the lads a chance to express themselves outside of the normal school fixtures.

"We are especially pleased that so many parents appear to be supporting their children on weekends."

Both schools are committed to staging fixtures with other schools.

Parkside School are in their first year of the RFU's All Schools Programme, which is designed to help fund and promote the playing of rugby union, while Keighley RUFC are proud to be part of the club-school link, and further fixtures are planned.

Keighley RUFC offer junior rugby for boys and girls from the age of five through to 17.

All new players are welcome to join our well respected age-grade teams, offering training sessions run by qualified coaches on Wednesdays (6.30pm-8pm) and Sundays (10am-12.30pm). Fixtures are also scheduled for Sunday mornings.

For further details see the club website (http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/keighleyrugbyunionclub/), contact club coaching co-ordinateor Steve Welch (07736- 469925, steve.welch0@gmail.com) or junior rugby secretary Graham Field (07966-233732, grahamfield58@sky) for further details.