The game was a curtain-raiser for Sheffield Eagles' televised National League One fixture against Widnes Vikings and provided the junior Chargers with the opportunity to play in a professional arena in front of a large and vociferous crowd.

Despite being pitted against one of the leading sides in the West Riding Youth League, boasting a number of Sheffield Eagles scholarship players, the Chargers produced an outstanding performance.

The Hawks' experience proved the difference as they won 56-16 but the Chargers nonetheless surprised their opponents with the quality of their rugby, including two tries by centre Matthew Smith.

Luke Cocking brought the game to a conclusion with an outstanding individual try and the livewire half-back also earned glowing praise from Eagles' performance director Dean Thomas who was on hand to run the rule over both sets of players.

The Chargers followed up three days later with another trip to Yorkshire as they travelled to Bradford to tackle Wyke RLFC.

This time around the Chargers were able to claim the spoils as they produced a disciplined and determined performance to claim a 16-0 win.

Spectacular

Smith and Cocking were again among the scorers while Adam Howsley also raced in for a spectacular length-of-the-field try.

Chargers coach Rob Potts said: ''The scoreline against Hillsborough really doesn't represent the quality of the performance against an outstanding junior side, and to back that up with the kind of performance they put in at Bradford is absolute testament to the hard work these lads have put in throughout the season.''

* Chargers U16s wrapped up their season in style, claiming a 36-18 win over Guiseley Rangers at Stonegravels.

Adam Howsley opened the scoring with the first of his side's eight tries. Tom Arnold was next on the scoresheet with Carl Goucher, Nick Green, Lee Sanders and Howsley all crossing the whitewash.

Star performer was half-back Luke Cocking with a pair of superb individual tries.

* For further information about the North Derbyshire Chargers visit www.chargersrl.co.uk or the club's Facebook group.