Year 9 Girls Rugby League Festival
The Year 9 girls travelled to Castleford, on a freezing cold day, to play against three other teams in the Yorkshire region – Ossett Academy, Castleford High and Minsthorpe Academy.
Sirius Academy 1 Ossett Academy 3
First up for the Sirius girls was a tough test against Ossett Academy, who they have always had good physical games with in the past. Sirius attacked well on their first set off six and handed over the ball near the Ossett try line. Sirius was defending well in the early stages, but lost a bit of organisation as the game went on and was caught not moving off their line, which Ossett capitalised on. Sirius again got themselves in good field position, but when trying to keep the ball alive it hit the ground and bounced in favour of the Ossett team who picked up and ran the full length of the pitch. Ellie Hewitt was distributing the ball well at acting half back, Jorden Shakespear, Demi Leak and Carla Manuel were all making good yards forward. Some good offloads in the tackle saw Emily Savage jinx her way through the Ossett defence to go over for her first try. Sirius looked on top and came close to equalising, but again Ossett took advantage of the defensive line not moving up together and broke through to seal the game.
Sirius Academy 0 Castleford High 4
Sirius Academy were to face the National finalists next, and with no fewer ten 10 of their squad playing for Castleford Panthers on a weekly basis, the Sirius girls did extremely well. The Castleford team was so organised in defence and when they ran it was with power and speed. The Sirius girls did play the ball about well but they could not find a break through a very good defensive outfit. Shauna Jones and Molly Harrison worked hard and held their own, with Braxtan Adams and Georgia Cater looking strong in the middle of the park. Sirius can certainly learn from this game to ensure they improve in certain areas in defence and attack.
Sirius Academy 3 Minsthorpe 0
The Sirius girls ended on a high with a good performance against Minsthorpe. On their first attack Carla Manuel ran over for her first try of the tournament. The defence was impressive from the Sirius side in this match, as they moved up quicker and forced the error. Natalia Butler ran the ball in well from the wing position and Ellie Mae Norrie on the other wing saved a certain try with a good last ditch tackle. On her debut Ellie May Welburn was a willing runner and did not take a backward step. Sirius doubled their lead, when a superb run from Paige Fletcher found her over the try line after some good footwork into the gap. Shannon Thornton, Georgia Cator and Aimee Harris started to come into the game more and found themselves putting in some strong tackles. The final try of the match came from Emily Savage, and this was a well worked try, Sirius kept the ball alive well again and Emily was quick to spot a gap out wide and slide over.
Please congratulate the girls on their performance, attitude and behaviour. Special thanks to Gemma Barton for driving the minibus and supporting the girls.
Squad: Shauna Jones , Molly Harrison , Braxton Adams , Georgia Cator , Natalia Butler, Ellie May Welburn, Ellie Hewitt, Jorden Shakespeare, Emily Savage, Carla Manuel, Demi Leak, Shannon Thornton, Ellie Mae Norrie, Paige Fletcher, Aimee Harris