Year 9 Girls through to National Competition and Yorkshire Cup Final after winning all their Yorkshire games
The extremely dedicated and hard working Year 9 girls have made it through to the Yorkshire Cup Final and National Stages of the Competition for the second year running. They certainly had to be at their best as they were up against some very tough and organised teams in their league.
Sirius Academy West 12 Brooksbank 0
A superb start the tournament beating a strong Brooksbank side. The defence was outstanding from the Sirius side as they kept Brooksbank out for three consecutive sets of 6 near their own try line. In attack they looked after the ball well, with Elise Hill and Libby Manning running strong and hard down the middle. First over the tryline was Year 8 Ruby Ellis who showed her power and strength to go over under the sticks, shortly after a smart scoot from Jasmine Fielder caught Brooksbank off guard as she dived over from close range to seal the game 12 -0.
Sirius Academy West 26 Selby College 0
In probably their easiest group game Sirius looked dangerous every time they had the ball in their hand and scored from nearly every set of six with some outstanding attack play. The energetic Elise Hill proved too strong to handle as she went over for 3 tries in the early exchanges before Year 8 Ruby Bennett scored in the corner after some great hands down the line. Ruby Ellis rounded off the scoring to make the final score a convincing 26 – 0.
Sirius Academy West 12 Castleford Academy 4
Castleford games are always tough ones, and this one was no different. Castleford went over for an early score in the corner as Sirius made their first mistake of the tournament with a knock on from their kick right near their own tryline. But a great response from these very committed group of girls as they went straight down the other end with great determination from all to get near the Castleford tryline and as soon as that happens you just know that captain Jasmine Fielder will find a gap with her scoot, and she did just that to put Sirius in front 6 – 4. Sirius controlled the game well and managed to seal the win with another sneaky scoot from Jasmine Fielder. 12 – 4 The defence of the Sirius side was incredible, every player putting their body on the line where required against a very big, strong Castleford side.
Sirius Academy 12 Cockburn 0
In the final group game, they were up against Cockburn, who had some fantastic players, but Sirius kept them well under control with some great tackle technique and line speed. There was no way through for Cockburn, who threw everything at Sirius. In attack Sirius controlled the ball well with 100% completion rate and got their rewards with a fine solo try from the hard working Elise Hill to make it 6 – 0, captain Jasmine Fielder doubled the lead with another close range scoot to win the gave 12 – 0 and finish in top spot of the group, and take on Ossett Academy in the semi final and a place in the Nationals.
Semi Final – Sirius Academy 14 Ossett Academy 6
Ossett took an early lead to scare the Sirius side as they went over from close range to make it 6 – 0. But the girls didn’t panic and backed themselves to go over next and not concede again. Sirius got a try back in the corner after Enola Aitcheson showed amazing footwork, but at the halftime break Sirius were still 6 – 4 down. Once again the girls determination and urgency was there for all to see as they dominated the second half with another try from Enola Aitcheson in the corner 8 – 6 in favour of Sirius. Credit to Ossett they nearly got one back but the Sirius team got under the ball and held the player up. From the next attack some smart runs forward and quick play the balls saw Ruby Ellis find space out wide as she ran over 50 metres to go in under the sticks and celebrate the 14 – 6 win and a place in the Nationals and Yorkshire Cup Final.
This group of girls have improved so much over the last year and I am sure will be doing everything they can to bring back some silverware to the Academy.
They will join the Year 7 boys on Thursday 2nd April at Featherstone Rovers RLFC as they will both play in their respective Yorkshire Cup Finals that night, with the girls KO at 4pm and the boys at 5pm.
Please congratulate the girls on their outstanding commitment, dedication and performance:-
Jasmine Fielder
Enola Aitcheson
Zeina Hassoum
Holly Paige
Amber Leake
Megan Britton
Elise Hill
Libby Manning
Ruby Ellis (Year8)
Maci Campbell
Ruby Bennett (Year 8)
Isobelle Brown
Smilte Grigaleviciute
Special thanks to Mr Bull for his support with the girls once again.
