Rugby League
The season has progressed very well with action for all our many participants in KS3.
Y7s Boys
We were the only school to take 2 teams to the Rugby League event at Kingston Park in March. The first team played extremely well, working hard together in attack and defense and finished the day unbeaten. The less experienced second team also put together some lovely rugby at times with some star performances from Sam and Adonis who have put themselves in the frame for 1st team action next season if they continue this commitment.
Y7 Girls
This team in their first year of contact rugby showed a great willingness and attitude throughout the Regional Finals tournament in April. Although they did not win the event, the team deserve much praise for their developing skills and it was obvious they played their best rugby in this last event in the rugby league season. I look forward to seeing them further develop next year.
Y8 Girls
The Regional Finals of the Rugby League event once again saw this superb team raise the trophy to be crowned North East Champions for the second year in a row. The team were unbelievable in attack and defense and barely a mistake was made in their 3 wins and 1 draw. The entire squad played their part in this fantastic accolade. The only down-side was an injury sustained by Orla, but her determination and commitment goes with the rest of the team into the National Finals!
National Finals, Leeds
Firstly and most importantly a huge ‘well done’ to this unbelievable squad of players. Despite missing a few key players (and Emma and Fran picking up injuries during the games) the full squad played their part and were magnificent at this prestigious event. Representing the North-East against the best from the rest of the country for the second year in a row, the girls got to the Semi-Final stage after recording 2 wins and a loss in the group stages. Again, repeating a fixture from last year, the girls played Castleford, one of the main areas for RL in the country. It was obvious from the start the opposition were powerful and well organised and despite our girls best efforts we were again beaten semi-finalists. I knew from the start our squad would play to their absolute best and give a great performance, but it was also noted from a couple of the other team managers how good our players were. Very well done!
Rugby Union
The KS3 girls teams again played fantastically well in the last Union event of the year. Team 1 (missing several key players) recorded a dominant 100% win record and I was also impressed with Team 2 who improved throughout the event and again played some great rugby. It was very pleasing to see the newer players to the game (including the Y7s in their first RU event) combine well in attack and defense.
The Y8 boys teams finished the season with brilliant performances at the last RFU contact tournament of the year. I once again took 2 teams to an event as I’ve been so impressed with the level of commitment and interest all season.
Team 1 were outstanding and recorded 3 wins and a draw. All of the team were magnificent with each and every one of them giving their all throughout. Well done to Chris, Ollie, Harvey, Dan, Noah, Fraser and Sam. Team 2 also played some superb rugby winning their last game in magnificent fashion. Star performances came from likely candidates, Matteo, Mackenzie and Tom, but also special mention to Hussain who played the best rugby of his season so far.
U13s football
The business end of the season has certainly provided some quality football from arguably our best football team at Newminster. Last half term ended with a National Cup Semi-Final trip to Cheshire to play Blacon High School. Although I’d like to say our team played the better football, particularly in the second half, the result was not to be and the best National Cup football run unfortunately came to an end. I must give huge credit to the entire squad who never let their heads drop and played with fantastic commitment, energy and determination throughout.
The team also had the small matter of a County Cup Final against St Mary’s. Unfortunately, like the National Cup game it was the opposition that capitalised on the early opportunities and took a 3-0 lead into half time. Chasing the game we had to alter tactics and due to a few key injuries we had to play a few players out of position. However I must give huge credit in particular to Dan W, Matty and Ollie who kept it very tidy at the back as we pushed for goals. James was always dangerous and helped himself to 2 goals and along with 1st team debut goal from Dan W we kept the score respectable at 5-3. Well done to St Mary’s who were an impressive team with strength and skill all over the pitch.
The league also came to an end with arguably my (and the team’s) most enjoyable match of the season against then league leaders St Benet Biscops. The players decided they wanted to thoroughly enjoy this game and give everyone a go at playing in a totally different position. So James and Ollie devised a team set-up (including James in goal, our strikers as centre-backs and defenders and Chris up front). It came as a surprise to most to see us take the lead but as the game wore on I realised our quality squad could literally play well anywhere on the pitch. Following a well taken equaliser, one of our players of the season and captain on the night, Ollie, scored a fantastic volley to win the game 2-1. Well done to all!
Other sport
I would also like to send huge congratulations to a couple of extremely talented individuals that have been taking part in National competitions outside of school:
Clara Scott, trampoline competition- Clara was down to the last nine from hundreds of participants in the U11 girls intermediate category after placing 3rd at the North Zonals in Huddersfield.
As expected the competition was tough with many excellent competitors all deserving to be there. Clara did some beautiful routines in warm up prior to competing. She competed two lovely routines and was just pipped to the podium finishing in a very respectful 4th place for her school. Clara represented her school impeccably!
James Ash, Team Gymnastics – James got through to the Team Gym British Championships and his team came 4th which is a truly amazing achievement!
