U14 Sirius Academy Boys Vs Hull Collegiate
U14 Sirius Academy Boys Vs Hull Collegiate.
The lads display great mental and physical toughness in a showdown which went right to the final whistle.
Foreword
Kick and clap is back! Although this phrase was ironically used to describe Marc Sneyd’s kicking ability this summer, the tongue-in-check term returns to its correct usage, as the Sirius Academy Rugby Union team line up against local public school Hull Collegiate in an encounter now dubbed “The battle of Boothferry”. Or as debutant hooker Isaac Drury described as being “a bit like gadgie burger vs Gourmet Goujons”. The conditions were tough, 28oC, and we travelled away with 14 players, no subs. The lads were well aware it was going to be a tough game, especially when the collegiate rugby coach who emerged from the school grounds also happened to be an Ex Hull FC and New Zealand international.
First half
The game started strong. Hull Collegiate kicked off and the Sirius boys pushed up the field with a very promising drive. Not before long we were 10 yards out with a certain try on the cards. Captain Tom Wilkinson looked to kick the ball into the winger’s path but the ball is knocked on and Collegiate Score from a fast break away off the scrum. Sirius now kicked back to Hull Collegiate who scored 3 more tries through a disorganised, exhausted and half-hearted Sirius defensive line, the score with 7 minutes to go in the first half was now 25-0 to Hull Collegiate. Miss Gay and I did our best to keep the lads mentality in the game. We encouraged the boys to keep fighting and show this formidable Hull Collegiate side what we’re made of in West Hull! Immediately from the Kick off and like a man possessed; Ali Alshereif stole the ball on the restart and battered his way through the collegiate line to score a try. Conversion missed. Half time score: 25-5 Hull Collegiate.
The second half comeback
The second half was a completely different story. The lads showed a lot more tenacity and unshakable determination to completely ignore the score and press hard against a well drilled collegiate wall of defence. A moment of brilliance started with fly half Sam McCauley kicking through a gap which was chased down by Leon Stewart, the move almost let to a tactically perfect try by Leon but he was tackled just 5 meters out! The Sirius forward pack got to the ruck quickly and spread the ball well to into the corner, concluding in a try scored by man of the match year 8 Kai Shaw on the wing. 25-12 and a comeback on the horizon the lads grew more confident. Alex Dunne did well to organise the front pack who continued to hammer away at the opposition making gaps for strong runners Leon Stewart, Ben Harlington and Ali Alshereif to exploit the gaps and drive Collegiate back. Tom Wilkinson linked up with Ali well in the centre of the field to score yet another try, 25-17. The comeback looked strong, but our tired legs in this unrelenting late summer heat continued to remind us otherwise.
The final 10 minutes
The final 10 minutes were just as eventual as the first, Sirius and Collegiate went toe to toe, and hurled everything they could to break through the opposition. Hull Collegiate made good use of their many substitutes as we looked on from the side-line with nothing to offer but water and verbal encouragement. The tense closing moments of the game saw 14 Sirius lads fight inch by inch as the two teams went try for try. Two great tries from strong second row Connor Foster wasn’t enough to steal the game from a more experienced Hull Collegiate team.
The final whistle blew with the score ending 36-27 Hull Collegiate, one try and a drop goal between us. A close defeat against a team which play every Saturday in a national league consisting public schools who play at a good level across the country. The lads can hold their heads up high, and look forward to continuing to improve their skills in a game they haven’t played since March.
Man of the match: Kai Shaw – played his heart out in his first game of rugby union, tackled players twice his size and never gave up. His terrific debut ended with a try in the corner! Well done Kai!
Please congratulate the following students for their courage and exemplar behaviour, they truly were a credit to the academy. Tom Wilkinson (capt), Mason Palmer (yr 8), Kai Shaw (yr 8, Man of the match and 1x try scorer), Isaak Worrel, Sam McAuley, Leon Stewart, Connor Foster(2x tries), Alex Dunne, Robbie Jones (yr8), Ben Harlington, Charlie Dobson, Isaac Drury (year 8), Ali Alshereif (2x tries), Ali Hussien.
Special thanks to Rachel Gay for her support and involvement with the lads!