Year 8 Girls finish 3rd in Yorkshire RL Competition
The Year 8 Girls Rugby team were much improved in the Yorkshire Competition this year and finished 3rd in the group stages, just missing out on a spot in the semi final.
Sirius Academy West 0 St John Fisher 14
The tournament didn’t start well for Sirius as they were up against National Champions St John Fisher, who were a very good side. But Sirius didn’t help themselves as they made a lot of errors in attack, giving up the ball easily as they defended for much of the game. St John Fisher capitalised on the amount of possession they had in good areas and ended up winning the game 14 – 0.
Sirius Academy West 18 Laisterdyke 0
In a much improved performance, Sirius had a 100% completion rate this time in their attacking sets of six as they got over for three tries and did not concede one. The impressive Year 7 Emily Last was running the show from the acting half back position and got a well deserved try from a smart scoot, Ruby Ellis converted to make it 6 – 0. The strong powerful Ruby Ellis was next on the scoresheet as she proved too difficult to put down and went in under the sticks, converted 12 – 0. Year 7 Brooke Williamson rounded off the scoring with a fine solo try bursting through the defensive line and having the pace to get over the tryline, another successful conversion from Rugby Ellis to make the final score 18 – 0.
Sirius Academy West 22 Featherstone 0
The previous game gave the girls a massive confidence boost as they came into the next match fired up to get another victory. In probably the best try of the tournament from Sirius, it was Year 7 Lauren Culliney who was put away in a gap out wide and she showed how quick she was to outpace the Featherstone defence and go over out wide, Ruby Ellis with a great conversion for an early 6 – 0 lead. Although Sirius were looking good in attack their defence was superb, with Emily Last, Sienna Longley, Ruby Bennett and Ruby Ellis working overtime, particularly from square marker. Sirius extended their lead with a superb solo try from Year 7 Keisha Allett who ran over 60 metres, next on the scoresheet was the powerful Ruby Ellis who went over form close range before Sienna Longley showed great support play and went over to make the final score a convincing 22 – 0.
Sirius Academy West 4 Corpus Christie 8
Whoever won this game would go through the semi final, the pitch conditions and weather conditions were really bad and whichever team controlled the ball the best would go on and win the game. After knock on from the kick off from Sirius, it was Corpus Christie who went over for an early score. Sirius responded well and when Ruby Ellis broke through the supporting Ruby Bennett was on hand to go over and level the scores. With only a minute left on the clock Sirius knocked on near their own tryline and Corpus powered over to win the game, meaning they finished 2nd in the league and Sirius finished 3rd.
Considering the Year 8s had half of their team being Year 7s they battled hard against some big strong teams and did not take a backwards step. Massive improvements on last year from this team, and with the Year 7s playing in their Yorkshire Competition on Thursday this will give those 5 girls some great rugby experience to take into that. Player of the Tournament for Sirius West went to Year 7 Emily Last, who was outstanding in defence and attack throughout.
Special thanks to students Lucy Stewart and Libby Manning who assisted with the coaching of the Year 8 Girls during the competition. Also a massive thank you to Mr Bull who supported with the girls throughout the day.