Year 8 Rugby team superb in National defeat!
The Sirius Academy Year 8 Rugby League team produced a superb performance in defeat which eventually ended in a 20-6 loss in Wigan against St Peters High Orrell. The team, who were not expected to provide much of a test to the Lancashire Cup champions, who are undefeated as a school team apart from a solitary loss in Year 7 to the National Cup winners, shocked their fancied opponents with a display of aggression and determination, and if crucial decisions had gone their way the result could have been very different. The team now return to local competition on Tuesday in the Hull Schools Championships.
The match started with Sirius playing uphill, into the wind, with defence been crucial to any chances of success. The boys were more than up to the challenge, with Players Man of the Match, Declan Jackson leading the way ably supported by Dylan Hepworth, Kieran Bartlett, Harrison Longden and Matty Wilson. In attack Connor Matthews and Mikey Lewis took the defence on at every opportunity, with Tyler Hackett and Reece Gooch, defending and attacking strongly. Outwide Jack Scottow, Callum Riley and Jordan Worner refused to let the bigger Peters players break through the line, producing some excellent defence. Two controversial decisions by the local referee cost Sirius dear, with two knock-ons missed in the build up to two Peters tries to put Sirius 8-0 down at half-time.
The 2nd half saw Sirius with the elements. Jack Hassard entered the game and had an immediate impact, using his footwork to create space, with Luke Moss moving up into the defensive line, making numerous outstanding tackles on the big Peters forwards. Peters took advantages of an overlap to extend to a 12-0 lead before Matthews and Lewis combined to send Jackson clear with a quick play the ball creating space for Scottow to finish well with Lewis goaling for 12-6. With Sirius on the front foot, Harrison Bark, Joseph Sedman and Ronan McMahon entered the game to give fresh legs and the game was wide open. However crucial interventions from the referee again proving costly with decisions going against the boys much to the bemusement of players and staff. Peters took advantage of the extra possession to cross for two late tries which slighted the score-line against the boys who deserved much more then they got.
Special thanks to Rachel Gay for her support with the team.
Please congratulate the following boys on their success so far, attitude and behaviour:
Luke Moss, Joseph Sedman, Tyler Hackett, Jack Scottow, Jordan Worner, Mikey Lewis, Connor Matthews, Harrison Longden, Kieran Bartlett, Matty Wilson, Dylan Hepworth, Declan Jackson, Harrison Bark (Year 7), Jack Hassard (Year 7), Ronan McMahon, Callum Riley.
