FOUR youngsters from the Vale of Clwyd played their part as a local rugby team went close to claiming a national title.

The North East Wales schools U-11s rugby team reached the national plate competition final and the team went close to claiming the title.

Among the ranks were brothers Theo and Isaac Jones, from Ysgol Frongoch, who play for Clwb Rygbi Dinbych.

Ruthin Rugby Club duo Christian Gordon-Astbury, from Rhos Street School, and Harri Lewis Jones, of Ysgol Pen Barras, also played in the final at Llanidloes against Rhymney Valley schools.

North East Wales reached the final after creating quite a few shocks in the earlier rounds.

They beat Llanelli schools and Carmarthen schools, before defeating Newport schools in the semi-final.

They lost the final by six-tries-to-five, but everybody present agreed that the result could have gone either way, and that a draw would probably have been a fair result.

Putting it all into context, this is the first time that an U-11s team from North Wales has reached a final for 20 years, therefore it has been a fantastic achievement from the squad.

The four have really enjoyed the weekly training at Mold and also making new friends from across the area.

Many thanks go to the coaches for their commitment over the season.