Year 7 Girls lose out in Semi Final of Yorkshire Tournament
In their first Yorkshire Tournament the Year 7 girls narrowly missed out on a place in the National Competition after getting beat 8 – 4 in the semi final after finishing in top spot in their group stages. Considering they are all new to rugby they did extremely well, with some great defence and attack on show.
Sirius Academy 12 Castleford Academy 4
Sirius Academy had a hard first game, as Castleford sides are generally organised and very tough, but this not bother the Sirius girls who started the competition in fine form with an early try from captain Emily Last who found a gap and scooted over. Castleford replied immediately with a score in the corner to make it 6 – 4 in favour of Sirius, the game was evenly matched for the remaining part of the game, but in the final stages Sirius sealed the victory when Amy Lyons went over to make the final score 12 – 4 and a great win for the Year 7 Girls.
Sirius Academy West 34 Holy Family 0
Sirius were full of confidence and ran in 6 tries without reply. The defence of the Sirius side was superb, with Emily Last, Maddie Oakes and Brooke Williamson putting in some good strong tackles. Brooke Williamson opened the scoring after a fine solo try to break through the defence and outpace the Holy Family side. Lauren Culliney showed her great footwork as she went over. Next on the scoresheet was the hard working Maddie Oakes, before Emily Last scored from another smart scoot. Rounding off this outstanding team performance was the dangerous Keisha Allett and another from Emily Last to make a convincing 34 – 0 victory.
Sirius Academy West 14 Corpus Christie 14
Sirius knew they needed to win or draw this game to top the group, but the game didn’t start well as Corpus Christie took an early 10 point lead. The Sirius girls were full of determination and when Lauren Culley showed her quick feet and pace she went over in the corner. But Corpus Christie went over again to make it 14 – 4. Everyone thought that might be game over with not long remaining, but these determined group of girls had other ideas and Maddie Oakes showed her strength by powering over to make it 14 – 8, Sirius needed a try under the sticks to level the scores and in the final play of the game Lauren Culliney rounded the Corpus side and had the knowledge to put the ball down in the middle to make it a 6 point try and force a draw at 14 – 14.
SEMI FINAL: Sirius Academy 4 St John Fisher 8
After topping their group Sirius faced second place in Group 1 – St John Fisher, who had been the tournaments most improved team. In an even opening few minutes, the first try could have gone to ether team but both defences stood strong. But then when Sirius knocked on near the own tryline on the first tackle there was no stopping St John Fisher powering over from close range 4 – 0. Sirius responded well with another fine solo try from Lauren Colliney in the corner to level the scores at 4 – 4 at half time. From the kick off to us in the second half, the ball was knocked on again near our own tryline and once again St John Fisher powered over to make it 8 – 4. Sirius tried all their could to get a try back, but the St John Fisher side stood strong as unfortunately Sirius missed out on a place in the National Competition.
Please congratulate the girls on their outstanding performance, attitude and determination, if they all stick together and work hard like the Year 9’s have then they also have the potential to go far in this competition in future years:-
Lauren Culliney, Charlie Sutton, Amy Lyons , Ashley Clark, Gisel Simmons-Mauglue ,Ella Parker, Lexy Wildblood, Lilly Woldblood, Emily Last, Brooke Williamson, Maddie Oakes,Keisha Allett, Melody Teal and Macy Palmer
Special thanks to Mr Bull for his support with the girls rugby teams.
