5th February 2016L Dickinson

Y8 and Y7 rugby and Bullocksteads

The boys attended a sunny and windy Bullocksteads sports ground for the Termly RFU tournament. We had a year 7 and a year 8 team entered. The afternoon was a success with the boys in both teams improving throughout the afternoon and winning there last games in each tournament comfortably.

Year 7 Girl Rugby league

The year 7s headed off to the Newcastle Thunders Sky Try festival at Kingston park with two teams entered. Then girls have been having training in rugby league delivered in DLE so this was there opportunity to put that training into practice. A few illnesses and last minute pull outs meant we only traveled with 13 players but the two teams of a 7 and 6 did amazingly well. Neither team conceded a try throughout the tournament and one of the teams won overall with the other team coming second. They will now advance through to the regional rounds of the competition. It was great to see the girls enjoy the tournament and develop throughout putting all there hard practice to good use.

Year 8 Girls Rugby League

The girls had a 20 minute session before going to the tournament to learn the game of rugby league. So when we got there we were already up against it. However, the girls really got into it. In the first couple of games the rules such as getting back 10 after a tackle and playing the ball when you are tackled took a bit of getting used to. But with a team full of fast girls so once we realized we needed to use our strength then we made great progress.
The girls improved over the afternoon winning there last two games and enjoying the day in general. Hopefully with a few more training sessions before the next tournament we can look to develop and cause some upsets against the other girls side all of whom have played a lot more rugby league than our girls.

Year 8 Boys rugby Semi final against Dame Allans

The boys went away to Dame Allans for the Semi final of the county cup and against a strong Dame Allans side won the game. The final score was 38-17. We now face Newcastle School for Boys in the final after half term. It is a great a achievement for the boys and testament to the progress the have made over the year. Hopefully the boys can put some of the demons to bed after our performance against NSB at the start of the year.

11.2 – U13s Girls Football tournament at Walker Soccerdome

We took our elite team of footballers to this prestigious tournament organised by Newcastle United, gathering together all of the top teams in the Newcastle / Northumberland area.

The girls got off to a flyer with a 4-0 win over Cramlington LV, with an early goal by Lucy Coulson, quickly followed up by a hat-trick from Lucy McConnell. The girls played some magnificent football from Alex Carr (captain) and Katie Dandie at the back, through our midfield maestros, Lucy C and Orla Callaghan and alternating strikers Lucy M and Ellen Fenwick.

The second game was a little tougher against Sacred Heart, but with continued quality play from the girls, some great saves and solid distribution from keeper Anna Thompson and a hat-trick from Orla the girls cruised to a 3-1 victory.

The group stage was all set for a final showdown between us and the other 100% winning team, John Spence. The girls continued to play good football but JS were much more of a challenge and took a 2-0 lead. Our girls refused to give up and Lucy C finished a well made team goal and set up an exciting finish. Unfortunately the 2nd goal didn’t come and the girls subsequently finished 2nd in the group.

The girls were obviously disappointed in defeat but can take comfort in the fact they played some magnificent football, always with great enthusiasm, attitude and ability and were only beaten by the best team overall in the tournament.

 

10.2 and 11.2 – Y7/Y8 girls/ boys rugby events

The Year 8 boys played for the Cheviot rugby team on Thursday 11th February in the County Cup Semi Final. The game was away to Dame Allans who the team had narrowly lost to earlier in the year. Finally seeing a little bit of sunshine the players were hoping for some running rugby and from the first minute that is exactly what we had.

Dame Allans started the game on the back foot with Cheviot scoring early to take a 7-0 lead but playing some tough running rugby and using the sloped pitch to their advantage Dame Allans ran in 3 unanswered tries to lead 17-7 at the half time whistle.
Knowing the final was at stake the Cheviot players gathered themselves and played non-stop, hard hitting, hard running rugby for the next 30 minutes. Scoring a further 5 tries and not allowing Dame Allans to cross the line once – A truly incredible effort.
The boys now play in the final of the County Cup at Kingston Park on Thursday 3rd March, Kick Off 4.15pm.

From the girls game:

8.2 – U13s football match away at Rothbury

Newminster U11s and U13s travelled up and down many hills to play against Rothbury Middle School. The U13s had the added bonus of playing on a pitch which sloped at approximately 45 degrees from one goal to the other. U13s – Using an experimental 11, with Harry Clarke at the centre of defence and 3 strikers, the boys were slow to react to the game starting, going 0-2 down fairly quickly. The second goal, hinting at being offside.
The boys eventually composed themselves and adjusted to the bizarre conditions, in that the pitch surface was 60% twigs, particularly through the rallying of Tommy Cunningham and David Jenkinson down the right hand side, and James Seabrook and Ben Owen down the left.
Owen eventually converting one of his many half-chances to go 1-2 into half time. Nathan Hume, used his pace and skill to school several of the Rothbury boys and then curl the ball into the top right corner. 2-2.
The boys continued to rally, with an instinctive setup from Jack Watson, onto David Jenkinson, who deserved his goal to give Newminster the lead. Unfortunately the boys conceded late on, again, the goal this time wreaking of offside but it wasn’t to be. A strong battling performance resulting in a 3-3 draw.

Man of the match: Tommy Cunningham

 

8.2 – U11s football match away at Rothbury

A more straight forward game and a comprehensive win for the U11s.

The game started with some hefty, firm but fair challenges from both teams. Moments after Lucy McConnell was brought down by a heavy tackle by Sam Dick, she was on her feet to tidily tuck the ball away for a 1-0 lead. Fellow striker Georgio La Rosa also finished well and during a close period of the game with both teams exchanging goals the score was 3-2 to Newminster with the additional goal from super sub Joe Lennox.

Newminster then stepped up through the gears with very attractive midfield play from Orla Callaghan, Joe Hardy, Finlay Coulson and captain Louie Gourlay, which resulted in an extended lead of 6-2 with second goals for Joe L and Georgio and a superb 20 yarder from Finlay.

Rothbury scored late on to make the final score 6-3, in an extremely entertaining game. I was very pleased with every performance from Chris Johnstone in goal, through a solid defense, inventive midfield and clinical strike-force!

Player of the match: Louie Gourlay

 

5.2 – Sky Sports Ambassador visit from Katy Storie with our Sports Leaders

Rugby player Katy Storie has captained the England ‘A’ team, played 24 times for for the senior England team, won a record four consecutive Six Nations titles and three European Championships and narrowly lost out in the World Cup final in 2006. And on Friday she was a guest visitor working with our current Y8 Sports Leaders in a variety of activities.

The pupils were asked about their aspirations and we’re shown and discussed many motivational and inspirational sports’ stories. They also took part in several competitive games. All of which has now hopefully encouraged them to push themselves to their limits and never give up, as well as helping to develop their team and leadership skills.

 

4.2 – Badminton Area Finals against Ponteland

“Our boys’ spirits were high and full of enthusiasm as they embarked on their sporting journey against Ponteland!  They fought valiantly but alas at 56 to 106 they were finally beaten. The score doesn’t reflect how hard they fought and the singles games particularly were Sky Sports Specials!” Thanks from our roving reporter, Mrs Dakin.

With more events to come this month, be sure to check back for more updates!