Keighley Rugby Club played host to a fixture between Parkside and Oakbank School on Saturday 6 December. Following on from last season's introductory fixture, it was a natural progression that it would be repeated. Just like last year, the atmosphere created by the players, teachers and parents was absolutely fantastic. The Keighley supporters who arrived early for the First XV were treated to a competitive spectacle played in the full spirit of rugby. I cannot say that the result was irrelevant, as I am sure that Parkside will want the score recording as they ran out close winners.

Parkside started the fixture as the stronger side, making headway through the Oakbank defence with each run. It was no surprise when Parkside went 10 - nil up early on in the game, their forwards making particular good use of their possession. As the Oakbank defence improved, Parkside found less space and turned over more ball; which give the elusive Oakbank backs better possession for them to mount their own challenge to the Parkside try line. The fixture was now a much more even contest as both schools rotated their players to ensure that all everyone joined in the fun on the pitch. The game was evenly balanced going into the closing stage until a final Parkside try was scored to give them the bragging rights for another year; the final score was Parkside 30 - Oakbank 24. Parkside teacher Mr Mathew Cox "It was great to see so many of the lads from years 8 & 7 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 who are involved. We re-introduced rugby to Parkside in September last year; we now have more than twenty kids attending our Friday Rugby Club after school which is fantastic. I am pleased that we can all share the positive benefits that rugby fosters - Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline & Sportsmanship. Oakbank teacher Mr Mathew Lloyd also commented "Oakbank are proud to be involved with Keighley Rugby Union Club, 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 at a weekend away from school." Both schools are committed to being involved in other fixtures with other schools when they can be arranged.

Parkside School are in their first year of the RFU All School Program which is designed to help fund and promote the playing of rugby union. Keighley Rugby Club is proud to be part of the club school link, further fixtures are planned to support local schools.

Keighley Rugby Union club offer junior rugby for boys and girls from the age of five through to seventeen. All new players are welcome to join our well respected Age Grade teams offering training sessions run by qualified coaches on Wednesday evenings (6:30 to 8:00pm) and Sunday mornings (10:00am to 12:30pm), fixtures are also scheduled for Sunday mornings. So why not bring your youngsters to join our flourishing Age Grade rugby section. For further details see website: http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/keighleyrugbyunionclub/ or; contact Steve Welch 07736 469925 steve.welch0@gmail.com or 07966 233732 grahamfield58@sky for further details.