Year 8 Girls Win all 3 games in their tournament at Castleford

[23 Jan 2014]

On a very cold and wet day, the Year 8 Girls were victorious in all 3 matches in the local festival at Castleford. Although the girls were National Finalists as year 7’s, the teams they were up against looked bigger and stronger this year, meaning a tougher test for the girls.

Sirius Academy 6 Outwood Grange 3
Captain Mia Duke was first over for the six tries scored, with a fine scoot out wide to outpace the Outwood defence, Kayleigh Waller showed her strength and pace as she went over next. Sirius Academy’s third try was great reaction from Duke, as Outwood dropped the ball on the halfway line and Duke – football style kicked the ball downfield, picked up cleanly and went over for her second of the game. Outwood then replied with a try of their own after the Sirius defence failed to get off their line quick enough. Molly Bigby halted any hopes of a comeback with another good individual try. But again the defence of Sirius was sloppy letting Outwood in twice, but Bigby again showed a clean pair of heels to score her second, she then made a try saving tackle after the restart, but got injured in the process, having to leave the field. Kayleigh Waller powered her way through in dying stages to make the final score 6 – 3.

Sirius Academy 4 Freeston 0
Next up for Sirius was a massive Freeston side, but this did not phase the girls, and it was Amelia Longden who was the star of this game, putting in some outstanding hits on the bigger girls and then going over for the try of the game, some good hands down the line put her into a gap, she raced for the corner and looked to be caught, but an amazing step in field ensured the defence could not get a hand on her, a superb try. Sirius second try came off a great run from dummy half from Duke who drew in the defender and sent away Ellie Cone for her first try of the tournament. Duke then got two more tries of her own, showing real skill and speed from dummy half. The defence was the key to this game with Victoria Godwin, Georgia Wardell and Jess Delph leading the way. A special mention must also go to Danielle Fulton, who fit in well and worked hard on her rugby league debut.

Sirius Academy 4 Castleford High 2
For the toughest game of the tournament, Sirius faced last year’s Yorkshire Cup opponents Castleford High. Sirius went over for two early tries, both full length efforts by Kayleigh Waller. But again they struggled to move up together in defence and paid the price as Castleford went over for a try from close range, Mia Duke replied with a superb try of her own, spotting a gap outwide and scooting out from dummy half. Again Sirius took their foot off the gas and let in Castleford again, making the scoreline 3 – 2, but when Sirius were on the attack there was no stopping them, and Mia rounded off the game with another try, making the final score 4 – 2 to Sirius.

Next up for the Year 8 girls is the Hull Schools Rugby Union Tournament on February 5th, then after half term it will be the all-important Rugby League Yorkshire Festival in Leeds as they try and repeat their huge success of 2013.

Please congratulate the following girls on their success, attitude and behaviour: Victoria Godwin, Molly Bigby , Rio Cambell, Amelia Longden, Kayleigh Waller, Mia Duke , Ellie Cone, Jamie Watson , Georgia Wardell, Danielle Fulton, Ruby Randell, Laura Roper, Emily Andrew, Ameera Jessop and Jessica Delph

Special thanks to Gemma Barton for her support with the team and for driving the girls down to the tournament.

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