Ilkley under-12s were jubilant after returning to Melrose in Scotland and successfully defending the title they won last year.

Ilkley made it through to the final with purposeful wins against the home side Melrose, Linlithgow, Gala and West of Scotland.

The final was played in bright sunshine on the first team pitch against home side Melrose who were keen for revenge.

Melrose were obviously fired up for the game and struck quickly to take the lead with a well-worked passing movement from their backs.

Ilkley then responded with tries from Simpson & Pinder as they re-established control of the game. With the score so close at halftime Ilkley came back out and dominated the second half with superior possession and pressure defence.

With Melrose pinned to their line they tried to clear the danger by passing along the line but instead gifted possession to Bye who intercepted the ball and crashed over the line from two yards.

Towards the end of the half thinking the game was over Ilkley eased off and a few missed tackles allowed Melrose to run in a second try against the run of play.

Ilkley quickly refocused and they regained their composure as speedster Pinder turn on the gas to run in a final try to ensure the win, four tries to two.

The full squad were delighted to collect the trophy and winners medals in the main stand to generous applause from the defeated Melrose team an their supporters.

Try scorers in the heats were James Pinder (6), Stuart MacGregor (2), Henry Illingworth (1), Isaac Pye (2) and Harry Blessington (4) The Team was Ben Pickersgill, George Pickersgill, Josh Bye, Rory Milligan, Harry Blessington, Isaac Pye, Stuart MacGregor, Joel Stead, Eddie Muirhead, James Pinder, James Simpson, Phil Rhodes, Henry Illingworth, and James Wardale.