Year 11 Boys Rugby – Hull Schools Trophy Final

The Sirius Academy North Year 11 Boys Rugby team played in their final match for the Academy against St Mary’s College in the Hull Schools Trophy Final. Sirius were without captain and influential leader Ben L, however they did welcome to the team three Year 10 players  – Aiden W, Lewis O and Corey S.

The game was evenly matched for the first ten minutes with both teams’ defences looking good. The deadlock was finally broken when a kick downfield on the last wasn’t dealt with by Sirius, as they thought it was going dead, however the speedy St Mary’s player dived on the ball in the in-goal area. St Mary’s doubled their lead shortly after, this time a high kick in the air wasn’t dealt with as no player went for the ball, and it bounced nicely into the arms of the St Mary’s player for 10 – 0. Sirius worked hard in attack with Soulayman F and Edongituo B running the ball in at every opportunity and making good yards forward. Sirius got near the tryline on a few occasions but their decision making and execution was not good enough to get them over the whitewash. A couple of penalties to St Mary’s got them up the field and they crashed over from close range. Shortly after, another kick on the last wasn’t dealt with as the Sirius player kicked the ball across the pitch instead of just falling on it and the St Mary’s player dived on the ball to make it 20 – 0 at halftime.

Unfortunately for Sirius they lost their only Year 11 rugby player who plays for a club as Leon D had to leave the field with an injury. Credit to Sirius, they never once gave up and were camped on the St Mary’s tryline for the first ten minutes of the second half. Oliver W and Dillon B took the ball in well to get Sirius within inches of the tryline, and it was only a matter of time before all the pressure and possession turned into points as a fine ball from hooker Lewis O hit Soulayman F and he crashed over to make the score 20 – 6. Sirius had plenty more chances to get back into the game, but they struggled to find the gaps out wide. Oscar N ran across the line well and tried to find the winger, but in the windy conditions the pass went forward. Sirius kept on the pressure, as Aiden W was organising well in attack, and it looked like Ben M had gone over, but he was deemed to have been help up over the tryline. St Mary’s made their way up the field and managed to go over for the last try of the game, which made the final score 26 – 6 in favour of the home side. Massive improvements in that second half from the Sirius North boys, who did not lack effort, toughness and enthusiasm throughout, it was just their rugby experience and knowledge that let them down in the end, especially when dealing with kicks on the last. However, for boys that have just started playing this year and the amount of non-rugby players in the team we did extremely well and should be very proud of how we have performed in Year 11, the improvements have been there with each game. If they show that amount of character, resilience and attitude in their exams and their life after Sirius Academy North, I am sure they will be a huge success.

It has been an absolute pleasure working with you all this last year – you have all shown the upmost respect at all times and I wish you all the best for the future:

Squad:

Oscar N, Riley Y, Abdullah Y, Ben M, Alex M,  Jack W, Edongituo B, Oliver W, Leon D, Soulayman F, Dillon B, Aiden W, Lewis O, Mason B, Suhaib A and Corey S.

Player of the match was shared between Soulayman F and Edongituo B, who ran the ball in twice nearly every set of six, and their solid defence ensured St Mary’s big players did not break through the line.

Special thanks to Mr Williamson for his support with the boys.