Year 10 Rugby team lose out in Semi-Final thriller!
The Sirius Academy Year 10 Rugby teams defence of their Champion Schools Yorkshire Cup came to an end in the Semi-Final stages, as the boys lost out in one of the most entertaining matches seen in schools rugby. The boys effort and commitment could not be faulted and upon reflection with more composure at crucial times they could have moved into the Final. However the result sees the boys not reach this competition Final for the 1st time ever as a Sirius team, and they now look to put things right in the Champion Schools National Cup stages which will see them face the North East champions in the 1st Round in Leigh on 5th February.
The match started brightly for Sirius who in their 1st attack saw Harry Whittles send the ever strong running Brad Elliott over with Kai Thorpe goaling for 6-0. Castleford hit back immediately with two quick-fire tries to take an 8-6 advantage. The match began to settle down with the usual hard work been led by captain George Tyson-Wilson, Elliott and Thorpe. Kieran Sewell looked dangerous from acting-half with darting runs, with out-wide been well marshalled by Josh Lomax, Jay Kirkland and Jacob Smith. The combination of Mikey Lewis and Whittles continued to link well and Elliott went in for his 2nd try for a 10-8 lead. Castleford went in again for 14-10 before excellent hands saw the impressive Josh Jarvis over out-wide for 14-14 at half-time.
Castleford struck 1st in the 2nd half for 20-14. Sirius again battled back with Connor Cape-Melbourne, Tom Jordan and Declan Jackson leading the way into a strong wind. A superb Whittles pass sent Jarvis away who raced in from 50 metres with Whittles goaling for 20-20. With five minutes remaining a high-kick from Whittles caused panic and it was the outstanding Josh Atkinson who lept up to pass to Kirkland for a 26-20 lead. On the stroke of full-time Castleford barged over for a try to level up at 26-26 and take the match to extra-time.
The Sirius boys began with patience and defending strongly with Callum Whilsher and Josh Kirby strong on the wings. Atkinson stepped through the defence to put Sirius up at 32-26 after Whittles had goaled and in the 2nd period of extra-time Whittles looked like he had sent Sirius through when he dummied through and goaled his own try for a 38-26 lead with only three minutes left. Again Sirius failed to close the game out, with mistakes in crucial times putting the team under pressure. Castleford scored two quick-fire tries, one with the last touch of the game to again level up at 38-38.
This meant Golden Point rugby, with both teams tired. Sirius had 1st use of the ball and could not produce a point, and Castleford in good field possession used the ball well and scored on the touchline for a 42-38 win to leave the Sirius boys devastated.
Special thanks to 6th Form students Harry Brigham for helping to train the boys in preparation for the match.
Please congratulate the following boys on their continued success, attitude and behaviour:
Josh Atkinson, Ryan Addinnall, Josh Lomax, Mikey Lewis (Year 9), Harry Whittles, Kai Thorpe, Kieran Sewell, Tom Jordan, Brad Elliott, Jay Kirkland, George Tyson-Wilson, Josh Kirby, Declan Jackson (Year 9), Connor Cape-Melbourne, Jordan Richmond, Joseph Coates, Luke Moss (Year 9), Josh Jarvis, Callum Whilsher, Jacob Smith.
