Sirius Academy West Year 8 Girls make it to the National RL Semi Finals
After recently coming top of their group in the Yorkshire RL Tournament and winning the Hull Schools Competition, the talented Sirius Academy West Year 8 Girls Rugby League represented Yorkshire in the National RL Tournament at Crossfields RLFC (Warrington).
The girls were in a Pool of 4 teams from across the country in 15 minute games and needed to finish in the top two to make it through to the semi finals of the National Competition.
The toughest match of the group was first up as they took on National Finalists from last Year – Wade Deacon.
Sirius Academy West 0 Wade Deacon 0
In a very evenly matched game it could have gone either way, with both sides putting their bodies on the line in defence. Captain Jasmine Fielder lead by example as her marker play was superb. Big hits from Ruby Ellis, Libby Manning and Elise Hill set the tone for the match as they did not take a backward step in defence and ran hard and strong in attack, making some great yards forward. Both teams had a good opportunities to take the lead as they each had a set of six on each others line, but the defence was superb and neither team could get over the white wash. The game was played at a high tempo and to a great level as both teams settled for the draw.
Sirius Academy 6 Richard Coates Middle School 4
Sirius Academy started the game on top, and it was just a matter of time before they got over the tryline, great yards forward from Enola Aitcheson and Zeina Hassoum got the Sirius side near the tryline, and a smart dummy and go from acting half back Jasmine Fielder saw her dive over from close range. Ruby Ellis converted to make it 6 – 0. Sirius were well in control of the game and they thought they had extended the lead on two occasions but the ref deemed the ball to have not been over the line. Injuries to Elise Hill and Enola Aitcheson was a big blow to the Sirius side as they had to leave the field of play. Against the run of play Sirius switched off in defence and the speedy acting half back from Richard Coates Middle School ran almost 80 meters to go over the tryline, the conversion was not successful and the final whistle went with Sirius celebrating their win.
After other results from other games in the league, Sirius knew a victory in their last game would see them finish top of their group.
Sirius Academy West 16 Bishopshalt 0
With Elise Hill and Enola Aitcheson still sidelined with injuries, this gave Maci-Mae Campbell and Paige Walker an opportunity in the starting line up. The girls were well up for this one and started the game with a well worked try. Ruby Ellis and Holly Paige were quick to play the ball after their strong runs forward, and smart play from Zeina Hassoum saw her dart through the gap in the Bishopshalt line and go over for a fine solo try, Ruby Ellis converted. It wasn’t long after before Sirius extended the lead, the quick feet of Paige Walker got Sirius near the tryline and Jasmine Fielder was quick to see the gap and went over from dummy half, showing great vision from the captain. Great defence from Amber Leake, Megan Britton and Maci-Mae Cambell ensured that Bishopshalt did not get anywhere near the Sirius tryline. Sirius sealed the game with a superb jinxing run from Paige Walker who showed great agility and speed to go over under the sticks, Ruby Ellis converted to make the final score 16 – 0 in a superb team performance by the girls.
By finishing to of their group, they are now in the top 4 Year 8 Girls teams in the country and will play against 2nd place from the other group – St Peters from Manchester in the National Semi Finals on 23rd May.
Please congratulate the girls on their fantastic performance, determination, teamwork and attitude, these girls are a real credit to the Academy. They now look forward to a Yorkshire Cup Cup Final against Corpus Christie on Monday at Featherstone Rovers RLFC. If you see the girls around the Academy please give them a massive “Well Done” and wish them “Good Luck” luck for Monday.
Squad:- Jasmine Fielder, Enola Aitcheson, Libby Manning, Ruby Ellis (Year 7), Maci Mae Campbell, Elise Hill, Amber Leake, Holly Paige, Paige Walker, Megan Britton, Zeina Hassoum and Eden Greenwood Laws.
Special thanks to Mr Hamilton for his continued support with the School Rugby.
