The Sirius Academy Year 10 Rugby team
The Sirius Academy Year 10 Rugby team came up against a very strong and capable Maesywerdden (Wales) team in the National Cup Quarter-Final. The match was by far the hardest the Sirius team have faced this year on route to their Yorkshire Cup success and in their current National Cup campaign. The boys were at times short of their usual high standards but full credit to the Welsh for the manner in which they played the game, often forcing Sirius into uncharacteristic mistakes. However as always the superb team-spirit that Sirius possess gave them the upper-hand in a game that they were in control of for the vast majority.
The game started at a fast pace with Sirius defending for large amounts on the huge pitch at Bromsgrove RUFC. An early break from the Maesywerdden full-back saw him sprint the length of the pitch and over for a try which was converted for an early 6-0 lead to the Welsh. This seemed to spark Sirius into life with some solid defence led from the front by Macaulay Duke and Aiden Armstrong and some powerful running from Andy Ogden and James Buttery. Quick hands from a scrum allowed Macaulay Adams the chance to draw the winger and send over Will Collier for a try with Liam Robinson converting from outwide for 6-6. Further good work by Adams and Jansin Turgut created the opportunity for Robinson to force his way over to give Sirius a deserved 10-6 lead. On the stroke of half-time a delayed pass from debutant Joe Burton sent Turgut racing away, a quick play the ball allowed Buttery to cross for his deserved try, with Jordan Abdull converting for a half-time lead of 16-6.
The second half started in the same fashion as the first with Sirius defending for large spells, with Liam Bilton, Abdull and Robinson leading from the front however the Welsh made their possession count and crossed to pull the score back to 16-10. Sirius then produced their best 20 minutes of the match to pull further ahead. With Abdull and Josh Wood organising the attack and Bilton, Armstrong and Buttery running well outwide Sirius created the space for Bilton to step inside and cross for his 1st try to push them into a 20-10 lead. Quickly following was Bilton in again for his 2nd try in a short spell to give Sirius a 26-10 advantage and what should have been an easier last 10 minutes. However credit to the Welsh who fought back strongly, scoring two quick tries to come back to 26-22 with 3 minutes remaining, however Sirius held on for a tough but thoroughly deserved victory.
The boys now look forward to the National Cup Semi-Final against the highly fancied St Edmond Arrowsmith team of Wigan with the date to be confirmed.
Please congratulate the following boys on their performances so far:
Lewis Hackett, Will Collier, Liam Bilton, James Buttery, Steven Marshall, Jordan Abdull, Josh Wood, Liam Robinson, Macaulay Duke, Andy Ogden, Aiden Armstrong, Macaulay Adams, Jansin Turgut, Stephen Batty, Ryan Brown, Liam Gordon, Joe Burton, Macaulay Longley, Brandon Taylor.
Special thanks to Cosi Basile for supporting the boys aswell as helping.
Thanks
Andy Kay
P.S. Note to Carl Flecter of the Science department, this report has been copyrighted for future use!
