30
Apr
Our Year 11 Rugby squad are celebrating this week after their Year 11 rugby squad have been named National Champions.
The team travelled to DIY Stadium in Wakefield to face Bridgewater High from Warrington, in the Year 11 inspiresport Boy’s Champion Schools Final. After a close and intense game, St Benedict’s came out victorious, with a golden point drop goal scored by Tyce Walmsley.
Mr Harrison, Head of PE at St Benedict’s said:
“Well done to all players, staff, local community clubs and everyone who has supported the guys throughout their time at the school.”
“They were worthy winners and it was an unbelievable day to be associated with St Benedict’s!”
Prior to setting off to the final, the team were presented with their team shirts by Jordan Burns, who is not only an ex-student but also now captains Whitehaven Rugby League. He also offered words of encouragement to the squad about his own previous experiences both as a school’s national finalist runner up and as a professional player.
Mr Harrison commented:
“The year 11 lads particularly enjoyed the pep talk from a well-respected member of the local rugby community. Jordan told the lads to appreciate their day and to leave nothing on the field.”
Full Match Report & team list:
The game kicked off and right away St Benedict’s looked like a team who fancied their chances. The game plan was to minimise mistakes, wear down the opposition down the middle and kick for field position.
This plan paid off very early on as prop Deen Pattinson opened the scoring, driving over with a typical prop forwards run. Tyce Walmsley converted making it 6-0 to St Benedict’s.
The intensity in defence was excellent and in possession only minutes later captain and loose forward Tyce Walmsley drove over from short range and converted his own try to make it 12-0 to St Benedict’s. A dream start!
The game ebbed and flowed and only a crucial try saving tackle by full back Rhys Williamson prevented Bridgewater getting back into the game. The pressure from the past national finalists grew as the half wore on and a neat kick and catch made it 12-4 after an unsuccessful conversion from the touchline.
This pressure only intensified and late on into the first half Bridgewater moved the ball out wide and scored a well worked unconverted try. 12-8 to St Benedict’s at the half time break.
A stern yet tactical team talk from coach Paul Farrell, supported by former St. Benedict’s pupil and professional Kyle Amor saw the lads receptive to the second half plan.
The game was played in extremely high intensity with both sides having chances to score. Defences were on top and the level of rugby was outstanding. It was Bridgewater who scored next to tie the game at 12-12 after an unconverted try with only minutes remaining. Full time 12-12.
The game went into extra time golden point. St Benedict’s won the toss and kicked to Bridgewater who made a mistake on the first play. St. Benedict’s in possession took three drives, held their breath, fed the ball out to captain Tyce Walmsley who cooly kicked a drop goal to win the match!
The team celebrated as did staff, spectators and all whom were watching in support via the live stream. Fantastic and jubilant scenes as St. Benedict’s had finally won an RFL national title!
Full team list:
Quinn Ennis
Jacob Hodgson
Ryan Wood
Mally Clark
Billy Joe Towers
Brady Todd
Frankie O’Reilly
Finn Miller
Deen Pattinson
Ace Savage
Eddie Calvin
Conrad Dockray
Tyce Walmsley (Captain)
Bobbie Hussey
Paddy Gaffney
Adam Reay
Rhys Williamson
Archie Thompson
Miller Wood
Road to the Final:
The backstory from Mr Harrison
Our Year 11 rugby squad have been on quite a journey in their time at the school. They joined us 5 years ago during the Covid pandemic, so their extra-curricular sport was severely hindered during that first year. What was clear however was their potential as young athletes.
Fast forward and over the next four years and many hours on the training field the squad have continually developed and have taken the county title for the past four years in a row at Years 8, 9, 10 and 11. They also added to that a single stint in the Rugby Union County Cup and won that two at the first time of asking in Year 10! They are unbeaten within the County at both codes in their time at the school which is some achievement and testament to their unwillingness to give in as well as their drive to succeed, develop, improve and win!
The National competition however in Years 8, 9 and 10 proved to be a very steep learning curve. Our lads reached the Quarter Final stage on no less than three occasions only to fall to the stronger side on the day on each occasion, the “bogie team” of Standish High School, Wigan who actually won the national title themselves on all three occasions having defeated Bennies!
The disappointment etched on the boys faces on each of those occasions grew as the gap between the sides was closing dramatically each year. This prompted staff and squad to get together after that last defeat in Year 10 standing on the side of the Standish pitch for a good 15 minutes in discussion (after the victorious home team had gone) and have one final push at the national cup in their final year (11). The desire was still there in the squad. That much was crystal clear in their frustrations.
Into their final year the squad started off by winning against all local opposition in the regional area to progress as Cumbria seed 1 into the national competition as well as into the County Final.
Dowdales School were the opponents at the Recreation Ground in the County Final and the Bennies lads didn’t disappoint making it four from four inside their own county with a convincing victory by over 40 points to claim the title as Cumbria’s best.
A week later we hosted the highly fancied St. Mary’ School of Leigh (who had knocked out the team who had beaten us in the previous 3 years). In a very closely fought match Bennies triumphed by 18 points to 16 with a show of defensive force to keep a strong opponent at bay. This victory to progress to the Semi Final stage was a turning point and confidence booster in most people’s eyes.
Next up a very, very tough draw on paper away from home at Freeston High School of Normanton Yorkshire in the Semi-Final. Freeston boasted a side who had multiple scholarship players and have an excellent record in the national and Yorkshire competitions each year.
St Benedict’s boys simply blew away the opposition on this day. The side dominated in attack and defence and won the semi-final by 30-10 in what was one of the most dominant displays by a Bennies side at that stage of a national cup in the history of the school. The boys wanted it and it showed for minute one!
Next stop DIY Stadium, Wakefield for the National Final! Hoping for a win finally after the school has lost in Year 11 finals twice in the last few years!
