PARKSIDE School students and staff had an unwelcome surprise on the first day of their tour to the Isle of Man.

Heavy overnight show meant that the school was closed but it didn't stop the 50-plus students and staff from making the trip, which included a rough three-and-a-half hour ferry crossing over a rough Irish Sea.

Following the success of last year's inaugural tour to the Lake District, Parkside took four teams over the water, and Year Ten were first in action, facing Ramsey School under the floodlights at Ramsey RUFC.

Recent Yorkshire RFU representative Ethan Lawrie was outstanding for Parkside, creating havoc with his impressive ball handling, which helped to set up Brooklyn Slack for a hat-trick, while Nico Mori was inspirational in the pack, creating a perfect platform for the backs to play their expansive game in the 55-0 victory.

The Year Nines and a mixed Year Seven and Eight side narrowly missed out to well-drilled Ramsey squads, although Arron Green shone in the backs for the Year Nine team, scoring three tries, while Morgan Mirzali put in some huge tackles to keep their line intact for most of the first half.

Man of the match, however, was scrum half Callum Munro.

The Year Seven and Eight side, whose try-scorers were Brandon Kerry and Alfie Johnson, also had impressive performers in Jacob Terry, Gregor Curr and Charlie Alvey.

Students then took part in a number of outward-bound activities in the afternoon, including archery and rifle-shooting, followed by a go karting challenge, won by the staff team.

On the final day, all four teams were in action against Isle of Man club teams.

The Year Sevens, Eights and Nines all played at picturesque Fitzwilliam College on the coast at the south of the island, Evan Jones being man of the match for the Year Sevens after some fierce defence, while Alfie Johnson showed his pace and skill to score some impressive tries for the Year Eights.

The Year Nines stepped up to another level, giving an excellent display against the island's top team.

Once again Green scored two tries to get the ball rolling, and Arron Thorp was a constant threat, as was debutant scrum half Harry Hollingsworth.

It was only fitting that the Year Tens, who kicked off the tour in style, should finish it in the same fashion.

The squad came out fighting against a physical Nomads, with both teams determined to have success.

Reggie Herd was inspirational in the forwards, landing some huge tackles, while the forwards once again set the platform with superb tries by Josh Slingsby and Ben Ellis in the 10-0 victory.

All in all it was a hugely successful tour, with students not only excelling on the pitch but also demonstrating a wide range of skills, including leadership.

Students organised and ran their own fund-raising events and were ably supported by local sponsors MB Alarms of Cullingworth, Carta Sport and New Yorkees of Keighley, along with Keighley RUFC, where a number of the youngsters play.