CHAMPION SCHOOLS

THE traditional Boys Year 7 Steven Mullaney Memorial curtain-raiser to the Challenge Cup Final will, this year, be a clash of English and Welsh schools.

Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, of Cardiff, will face St Peters Catholic High School (Wigan) in the match, which will kick off at 10am on Saturday 8 June, after beating Outwood Academy and Malet Lambert respectively in Wednesday’s semi-finals.

It will be Glantaf’s second appearance at Wembley, where they prevailed in the 2015 decider. The current team accounted for London’s Langley Park and Archbishop Sentamu Academy before disposing of Outwood. St Peters’ defeated Cumbria’s St Benedict’s Catholic High School, in addition to Malet Lambert (twice) en route to the final.

Remaining 2024 Champion Schools finals, with teams yet to be confirmed, will be played on Friday 5 July at the DIY Kitchens Stadium in Wakefield.

The Steven Mullaney Memorial Final is named in honour of the youngster who thrilled millions of TV viewers with his match-winning performance for Wakefield against St Helens in the 1986 curtain-raiser; Steven tragically lost his life the following year in a motor accident. The RFL’s National Education Manager, Andrea Murray, said: “Both teams have done incredibly well throughout the tournament and are a real credit to their coaches.

“The boys will be following in the footsteps of some famous Rugby League names who have played in the Steven Mullaney Memorial Game – among them Kevin Sinfield, Denis Betts, Bobbie Goulding and Phil Clarke.”

She added: “Champion Schools is not just about the teams involved but it is also about giving opportunities to the next generation of match officials – including Liam and Cameron Breheny.

“It was fantastic to see the two brothers taking charge of the semifinals, and I look forward to seeing them progress their refereeing careers. “I’d also like to thank Rochdale Mayfield for hosting, it was a brilliant occasion, and everyone involved had a fantastic day.”

Wednesday 1 May BOYS YEAR 7 INSPIRESPORT SEMI-FINALS: St Peter’s Catholic High (Wigan) 26 Malet Lambert 6; Ysgol Glantaf 50 Outwood Academy Freeston 4.

Both at Rochdale Mayfield.

GIRLS YEAR 11 YORKSHIRE CUP FINAL: Castleford Academy 24 St Wilfrid’s 0. GIRLS YEAR 10 YORKSHIRE CUP FINAL: Castleford Academy 10 Malet Lambert 20.

GIRLS YEAR 8 YORKSHIRE CUP FINAL: Archbishop Sentamu 30 Malet Lambert 20.

BOYS YEAR 8 YORKSHIRE CUP FINAL: Archbishop Sentamu 22 Malet Lambert 10.

All at the Millennium Stadium, Featherstone.

Fixtures Thursday 7 May GIRLS YEAR 9 FESTIVAL: St Peter’s Manchester, Bluecoat Oldham, Castleford Academy, Malet Lambert, Grey Court, Westlakes Academy. GIRLS YEAR 7 FESTIVAL: Rainford, St Mary’s, St Bede’s & St Joseph’s, Archbishop Sentamu Academy, Grey Court, Westlakes Academy, Ysgol Glantaf.

Both at Oulton Raiders.

GIRLS YEAR 10 FESTIVAL: Rainford, St Peter’s (Wigan), Malet Lambert, Castleford Academy, Cardinal Newman, Workington Academy.

GIRLS YEAR 8 FESTIVAL: St John Fisher, OA Haydock, Archbishop Sentamu Academy, Malet Lambert, St Oscar Romero’s, Workington Academy.

Both at Crosfields.

NORTH EAST YOUTH

UNDER 16S Cramlington Rockets U16s v Yarm Wolves U15s -nr; Cramlington Rockets U15s v Yarm Wolves U16s -nr; Gateshead Storm v Newcastle Magpies -nr.

UNDER 14S Wallsend Centurions v Yarm Wolves -nr; Consett Eagles 0 Newcastle Magpies 24; Cramlington Rockets v Gateshead Storm -nr.