Year 10 Girls Rugby Team unbeaten in the Yorkshire Competition to make it through to the National Tournament
For the first time in their Sirius Academy rugby career the Year 10 Girls have made it through to the Yorkshire Cup Final and also a place in the National Tournament after going undefeated in the Yorkshire Competition at Castleford, Lock Lane.
The Sirius Academy West Year 10 Girls were drawn in Group 2 with some extremely difficult opponents, who have a good track record of going in far in this competition, but the girls worked hard in all three games in the group stages to ensure they finished in top spot and prevent them from playing the National Champions, Castleford Academy in the semi final.
Sirius Academy West 6 Brooksbank 6
Sirius started this game in fine form, controlling the ball well and making Brooksbank work hard in defence. But it wasnt long before Sirius got their first try, and what a try it was, great hands down the right hand side saw a superb draw and pass to winger Enola Aitcheson who showed a clean pair of heels to outpace the Brooksbank defence and score in the corner. Chantelle Dunne converted from out wide with a fine strike, which proved to be extremely important and give Sirius a 6 – 0 lead. Sirus was in control of the game throughout, but then a knock on in their own ten metres in the last minute of the game gave Brooksbank the opportunity they had been waiting for as they powered over under the sticks to draw the game.
Sirius Academy West 14 Kettlethorpe 0
The Sirius defence in this game was outstanding with the tough, strong Nicole George, Elise Hill and Louise Jessop making some great tackles, particularly from the square marker position. With ball in hand Sirius looked dangerous as runs from Leah Pearson and Talia Martinez was causing them all sorts of problems and then with quick play the balls on the back of that they were hard to stop as they ran in three tries without reply, one from the impressive Elise Hill and two smart scoots from Jasmine Fielder. Chantelle Dunne converted one of the tries to make the final score 14 – 0.
Sirius Academy West 6 Cockburn 0
Sirius knew they needed to win this game to finish in top spot and prevent them from playing National Champions – Castleford in the semi final, and you could see how determined they were from minute one. Once again the defence in this game was superb, Cockburn were a well organised and tough side, but Sirius did not take a backward step. In attack, once again they were composed and completed their sets of six well. Libby Manning, Lucy Parker and Isobelle Brown were willing runners and making great yards forward before the fast, pace and strength of Nicole George saw a gap in the defence and went through it for a fine solo try under the sticks. Libby Manning converted. There was no way through for Cockburn as the defence stood strong and Sirius West celebrated winning the game 6- 0 and topping the group.
SEMI FINAL: Sirius Academy West 12 Shelley College 0
Both teams threw everything at each other in the first half, Sirius was camped in their half but could not manage to get over the tryline, in defence there was no way through this Sirius side as their line speed was incredible, forcing Shelley College to knock on in the tackle. The second half Sirius got their rewards as Shelley College started to tire from the amount of defence they had to do. And when the ball went out wide from a superb draw and pass from Libby Manning, Enola Aitcheson jinxed her way through to the tryline to score out wide. Libby Manning converted to make it 6 – 0. Shelley College just could not break the line and started getting frustrated, and a few penalties in Sirius favour walked them up the pitch. The game was sealed on the back of this after great thinking from Elise Hill as she did a tap and go, showing great power, bursting through the defensive line and grounding the ball, once again Libby Manning converted to make the final score 12 – 0 as Sirius celebrated for the first time at this age group getting through to the National stages of the competition.
Next up for this extremely hard working, tough and talented group of girls is the Yorkshire Cup Final at Featherstone Rovers RLFC on Tuesday 31st March where they take on holders Castleford Academy. The will then travel to Warrington on Thursday 7th May for the National Competition.
Please congratulate the girls on their outstanding attitude, behaviour and performance:-
Lucy Parker (captain), Leah Pearson ,Louise Jessop, Chantelle Dunn, Nicole George, Lucy Stewart, Talia Martinez, Chimene Kalubi, Enola Aitcheson, Jasmine Fielder, Elise Hill, Zeina Hassoum, Isobelle Brown, Libby Manning
Special thanks to Mr Bull for his support with the team.
