Rugby Report

As a long season comes to an end it is with great pride that I can look back over the wonderful achievement we have seen this year.

The U13s have had a fabulous season reaching the County Cup final against NSB and also being victorious in the TSSSA cup semi-final against Emmanuel College, Gateshead. Unfortunately due to the semi-final being played late in the Spring Term our opponents, Dame Allans, could not fulfil the final fixture. As a result the Cheviot have retained the TSSSA cup which is a fantastic achievement.

Spring is always a good time for rugby and this is because Rugby 7s starts to take place. After limited training time the first tournament was held by NSB in which we were victorious, winning the Bowl competition.

Following on from this was the County 7’s at Bede Academy. Losing 2 key players on the day we knew we would need to be at our best as the top sides for the County attend. After coming runners up in the group we were to play RGS in the semi-final. I would probably say this was one of the best displays of rugby I have seen from an U13 team in a 7’s game, winning 28-17, much to the delight of all the spectators. In the final we lost narrowly to a very good NSB team but beating RGS was the icing on the cake.

Games for the U12s have been more limited this term but the coaching staff are already excited for next year as we regularly see 30 boys turn up to the short training session every week.

We did however manage to take 2 teams to the County 7s, despite a number of players being on the ski trip. Due to the fact we had only managed 1 hour of training we were stepping into the unknown against some very well drilled independent schools. However, the boys executed the game plan perfectly and one of the teams reached the final against RGS. On a very big pitch and against a very skilful RGS team we narrowly lost but the effort of all the players can’t be faulted. To reach the final of the County 7s after a 1 hour training and in the first ever 7s tournament the boys had played in was a remarkable achievement.

As the season now concludes I would like to personally thank all the players who have trained, committed and played this season – it has been truly remarkable what we have achieved given the limited amount of time we have together to train.

I would also like to personally thank the Heads of both Newminster and Chantry for their continued support in allowing the fixtures to take place. Finally a massive thank you to Mr Twentyman and Miss Johnson for their efforts with the fixtures, letters and general organisation.

We are all excited for the next season and if the commitment from the U12 continues next year, as it has started this year, we know we have many good times ahead.

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23.3 – House matches

This was the third round of house matches this year and it involved Football, Netball and Benchball. The games were played in enthusiastic and competitive spirits as always, with some great team performances. The results from the day:

Collingwood – 34

Dacre – 25

Howard – 34

Mitford – 29

Combined with the scores from last term the current running totals are:

21.3 – U11s league match v Richard Coates

Another strong performance to finish the term off in style from our talented team. The early exchanges looked like the game could be even, with both teams involved in fast counter-attacking football but Newminster proved the more clinical in putting away their chances.

The first goal came from a fantastic through-ball to Giorgio L R who flicked it on perfectly to James M who didn’t need to break stride to run on and finished it in the bottom corner. A further goal from both teams took us into half time.

It was after the break that we really started to move the ball around and take the game beyond Coates. After a flurry of goals, some improved defending and blocks from the ever-reliant Dan M we finally ran out 8-2 winners. Goals from James M (3), Giorgio L R (2), Josh G (2) and Finlay C.

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18.3 – Year 5 skipping festival

A 22 strong squad of skippers attended the recent Year 5 skipping festival at Morpeth Leisure Centre.  A brief practice saw Newminster face up against skippers from schools across Northumberland.  A good mix of girls and boys had a great time, bringing home 4 bronzes and a silver for a range of skipping styles from speed bounce to the tricky paired butterfly.  An excellent time was had by all.

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18.3 – Sport Relief

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16.3 – U11s league match v Chantry

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14.3-21.3 Boys rugby

Y7 and Y8 boys sevens in the county cup

Last week the year 7s and year 8 boys went to the county cup finals for rugby sevens.

Both year groups did incredibly well with each team from the Three Rivers (with heavy Newminster representation) getting through to the final of each competition.

The Y8s traveled to Bede to play in their tournament

They performed fantastically well beating RGS on the way to the final and where they again lost to NSB, who have been there nemesis this season.

The boys played with great spirits and have really progressed over the year. It was a fitting end to the season for them, in a season which has hopefully been an enjoyable one.

The Year 7s traveled to Dame Allans

Despite being missing of a large proportion of Year 7 boys from Newminster who were away skiing performed admirably.

With two teams from the Three Rivers entered into the tournament and so many of the regular players missing it provided a great opportunity for others to experience the competition. All players enjoyed the experience and gained a lot from it as the format allows all players to be involved in the game much more frequently that in 15s.

One of the teams went all the way to the final beating Dame Allans on the way before losing to RGS. However, with some many players missing it bodes well for next year. I hope the Year 7s have enjoyed there rugby next year and with the opportunities continuing in Year 8 I hope to see them out on the rugby field again.

Y7 rugby league

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8.3 + 22.3 – U11s football tournament at Chantry

The reserve teams have continued to play with fantastic enthusiasm and commitment in these regular tournament fixtures. Not only have these games given more pupils the chance to represent the school, it has also provided a great platform for pupils to step up into the first team and therefore given even more pupils the chance to play for these teams.

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7.3  -U11s + U13s girls’ football tournament

Following on from a great start in the league the girls continued that spell as they stepped up to play Chantry, Ponteland A and Ponteland B teams.

The girls started slow against Chantry and it took a wonder left footed strike from Eadie Barakat to get the girls going, goals followed from Orla C (1) and Lucy M (3) seeing the girls seal a 5-3 victory.

In the girls second game they took on Ponteland B. They kept their momentum going and got off to a great start with Ruby G kicking off the scoring, the girls played well together defending well which set Lucy up to add to her tally of goals. Further goals from Lucy(5), Orla (3) and Eadie (1) saw the girls gain a comfortable 10-2 win.

The girls final game brought them up against tough opponents Ponteland A in what was set to be the toughest game for the girls. Newminster kicked off and got the ball to Orla who ran past 5 defenders to set Lucy M up to put the girls 1-0 up.

Newminster’s 2nd goal came from a strong run from Orla who again set Lucy up to take us 2-0 up. 2 more goals from Lucy ended the game 4-0.