PRINCE Henry’s First XV rugby team are celebrating after a tough week with two hard matches took them to the final of the Yorkshire Cup.

Bad weather cancellations meant that the team, made up of boys from Years 11, 12 and 13, had to play their quarter-final against Wath on Monday and their semi-final against Ripon Grammar School two days later.

Undeterred, the team, coached by Simon Willett and Chris Smith, beat Wath 32-24 and then went on to achieve a hard-fought 7-3win against Ripon Grammar School.

The victory came on the day that the news reached the school of three ex-students, Max Green, Josh Bainbridge and Jack Walker, being selected for the England under-20 rugby squad, with Walker chosen as captain.

“I am so proud of the lads” said Simon Willet, head coach for the team. “They have had a tough week, but their commitment and drive has taken them right through to the final. That will be a difficult match, but I am confident that they will approach it with the same grit and, hopefully, we will be Yorkshire Cup Champions this year.”

Prince Henry’s is known for its rugby success and two its old boys were in the England team fro Saturday's 15-9 Calcutta Cup win over Scotland at Murrayfield. Danny Care lined up at scrum half while prop Paul Hill was on the replacements' bench for the first time.

Prince Henry's new girls’ rugby team has kicked off brilliantly this year, winning many of its matches. Students of both sexes represent Yorkshire in rugby.

The school has recently launched an Elite Sport and Education Programme, where students at county level or above can have timetabled training time to work towards becoming professional athletes alongside their Sixth Form Studies.