Settle's Walker leads North to final (From Craven Herald)

Elliott scores double for North

4:28pm Thursday 8th January 2009 in Sport By Rachel O'Connor

Giggleswick School pupil George Elliott performed the highly unusual feat of scoring two tries in as many minutes in different matches for the North U-18s in the U-18 RU Divisional Festival last weekend.

However, the Leeds Carnegie player could not help the North defeat London in the final at Moseley Rugby Football Club.

Centre Elliott, whose last-minute try snatched victory for the North against the South West, then crossed in the opening minute of the final but the North ended up 29-18 losers. Christian Georgiou added a penalty to tries from Jordon Kennedy and Simon McIntyre.

The North team was skippered by Settle’s Chris Walker, who is a pupil at Otley Prince Henry’s Grammar School, where there is a rugby academy connected to Leeds Carnegie.

His fellow Prince Henry’s and Yorkshire team mate Richard Rhodes of Ilkley RUFC saw his dreams of a full England place snatched away when he sustained a serious injury in the opening minutes of the game. The lock forward has broken a leg and ankle and also dislocated his ankle and the injuries have necessitated two operations so far.

The festival was moved to Moseley’s 3G pitch at Billesley Common after the usual venue at Broadstreet RFC near Coventry was frostbound and further freezing conditions were forecast..

The North required a last-gasp try from replacement centre Elliott to see off the South West 21-18 in a see-saw opening game.

After the injury to Rhodes play resumed and the South West took the lead with a try from full-back William Jones, who rounded off a storming run from Guy Armitage, the brother of England full-back Delon.

The lead changed hands in the last nine minutes of the half. North nudged ahead with two penalties from Andrew Hall but London went back in front with a penalty but the North regained the lead when a fluent handling move set up fly-half Daniel Bibby for an unconverted try.

The South West hit back early in the second half when Jack Gadd rounded off another good attack but Hall cancelled that score out with his third penalty.

Replacement flanker Oliver Robinson appeared to have clinched the game for the South West when he finished off an attack but there was just time for the North to launch one last attack and they worked an overlap for Elliott who was engulfed by jubilant teammates when he touched down. Christian Georgiou tagged on the conversion.

In the final London gained a hard-earned 29-18 win. The result was in doubt until James Speirs crossed for the deciding try in the final minute.

Giggleswick’s Elliott opened the scoring with a try but London recovered to win.