Huddersfield Rugby Union Club’s junior sides picked up some silverware on their end of season tours.
But most importantly, they enjoyed watching top-flight matches, playing in festivals and representing the Lockwood Park club in the best possible way.
The Under 16s and Under 13s celebrated in style by winning the Mold Festival.
The Under 16s played four games against Mold, Denbigh, Rhyl and Helsby, scoring 60 points and conceding none in a display of heroic defence combined with power and pace in attack.
Going into the final two games they were level on points and tries with the tour hosts.
Huddersfield played first and put in a five-try blitz against Helsby while Mold were held 0–0 against Denbigh, making Field champions!
Their 22-man squad comprised James Addy, Steve Blakey, Reece Boxall-Hunt, Elliot Cressey, Ben Dickinson, Cahal English, Cian Gregg, Tendai Gwaze, Nick Hanson, Ben Hawker, Cameron McBride, Sheldon McFadzean, David McGowan, Harry Newman, Sam Pegg, Will Perfitt, Will Robertshaw, Tom Sweeten, Ben Sykes, Toby Walker, Arthur Wilkinson and captain Harry Woodhouse.
The Under 13s added another festival victory at the Mold to their Caldy Festival success.
They played some excellent rugby in beating the hosts Mold along with Ruthin, Nant Conwy and Pwllheli, conceding only two tries along the way.
The total tour party of 81 had enjoyed some great hospitality at Warrington, having beating the current Lancashire champions 33-12.
At the end of April, of course, the 13s won the Yorkshire Cup when beating Dinnington 38-5 in the final at West Park Leeds.
The Under 15s also played at Mold and finished runners-up after performing superbly, beaten only by a team unbeaten for two seasons.
They also had a great day at the Bleanau Ffestiniog Titan zip wire, and all parents and players felt it was a memorable trip.
Huddersfield Under 14s travelled to Colwyn Bay to take on four sides in a 15-a-side tournament – Colwyn Bay, Luctonians, Malvern and Royston Crows.
With only 15 lads in the party, they played magnificently and collected the third-place trophy for their efforts.
At Under 12 level, Huddersfield also played at Colwyn Bay, starting off with a win, two draws and a defeat.
Despite a torrential downpour the following day, they got through to the third-fourth play-off but, despite a creditable effort and being terrific ambassador for the club, they lost by one try to nil.
The Under 11s played at Bowden in Altrincham before watching Sale Sharks lost to Harlequins.
The Field squad went on the pitch with Sale in full club kit and they then spent the night in Preston before playing in the Preston RU Festival.
Leamington Spa Festival was the destination for the Under 10s, having watched Leicester Tigers beat London Welsh.
The squad enjoyed their end-of-season awards, with medals being presented by Lead Coach Dave Beal.
Fraser Morrison got the prestigious Players Player award.
Both teams, the Hornets and Hyenas, were awarded a most improved player award and clubman award.
The Leamington Festival was run on the new RFU Kids First lines, ensuring a record seven games each against varied competition, in hot weather and hard ground.
All players excelled and were marvellous ambassadors for the club. They returned home already raring to go for next season.
The Under 7s and 8s watched Sale v Harlequins and showed their skills in a game of tag against Manchester.
The teams then headed to the Preston Festival, when the boys played really well following a message of encouragement from World Cup-winning player Will Greenwood the night before.
The Under 8s had a visit to Jump Nation and took part in the half-time entertainment at the Sale game, playing demonstration matches against Manchester and Oswestry. The boys rose to the occasion brilliantly and enjoyed the attention of the crowd.
They then went to Broughton Park and played on the first-team pitch. After the matches they enjoyed a disco. The tour was a real success and hopefully the foundation for playing contact rugby next season.
The Under 9s rounded off another successful season with their tour to Leamington. They tackled the “Go Ape” course in Cannock before fielding three teams in the Festival.
All the teams played multiple games and put on a display of excellent rugby against tough opposition.
Team awards were presented.
