Wigan College 24 Sirius Academy West College 24
The newly formed Sirius Academy West Girls College Rugby League team started their College league with a tough away fixture at Wigan. With only 9 players available to play in the 9 a-side match, they had to play in a 50 minute game with no subs in very warm conditions and managed to come out with a well deserved draw.
The defence of the Sirius side in the early exchanges was outstanding as they kept the strong powerful Wigan players out for two sets of six, unfortunately the kick on the last was knocked on near the Sirius tryline and Wigan capitalised on this by going over to make it 4 – 0. The response from the Sirius side was outstanding as they went over on their first set of six in attack. A great run from Mia Husband saw her get close to the tryline, a quick play the ball caught Wigan all over in defence as Shannon Jordan crashed over from close range. Sirius didn’t stop there and went over for another try shortly after, this time it was the impressive Danni Waters who stepped her way through to put Sirius in the lead 4 – 8. Mia Duke extended that lead even further with a great solo try as she kicked in on the last tackle, the ball spun back for her with accuracy as she followed her own kick for her to collect and race over 4 – 12 at the halftime break.
Sirius had given everything in that first half and were starting to tire, and this showed as the second half progressed. Wigan got off to a great start and went over to make it 8 – 12, before Chloe Dunn broke through and went over to make it 8 – 16. Saffron Jones and Georgia Travagli were working overtime in defence down the middle, but a quick play the ball and lack of concentration let Wigan back into the game 12 – 16. Danni Waters extended the lead again, this time it was from a smart scoot over the line after finding a gap. 12 – 20. Katie Clark and Lauren Sutton were taking the ball up at every opportunity to give the forwards a well deserved rest, but the fatigue was setting in and Wigan went over for two quick tries to level the scores. Danni Waters thought she had won the game for Sirius when she stepped her way through to go over and make it 20 – 24 with only minutes remaining. Lack of discipline from the Sirius side saw them hand the ball over on their own tryline and there was no stopping Wigan from equalising. Shortly after the final whistle went and in fairness a draw was the correct result at 24 – 24.
The 9 players of the Sirius Academy West Girls College team deserve a lot of credit, they defended immensely well, with some big hits, in particular Shannon Jordans bone crunching tackle on their big prop forward. Next up for the Sirius West College team is the local derby against Hull KR on Wednesday 24th October.
Please congratulate the girls on their outstanding effort, attitude and performance, they have really set the scene on what they can achieve together as a college team and hopefully a few more players will be available for the next fixture:-
SQUAD: Mia Duke, Saffron Jones, Georgia Travagli, Mia Husband, Shannon Jordan, Chloe Dunn, Katie Clark, Danni Waters, Lauren Sutton
