The St Mary’s Y7&8 boys rugby team took part in the RFU Emerging Schools Festival at Bullocksteads today.

The Y8 team played 3 matches against Churchill, St Benet Biscop and Kenton, winning 1, drawing 1 and losing 1. The boys got off to a great start against St Benet Biscop with Nathan Challoner twice stealing the ball and going the distance to score 2 great individual efforts. St Benet’s came back into the game strongly, but struggled to get through some tough St Mary’s defence thanks to some tough tackling from Damon Baghi and Jack Pilling. St Benet’s managed to score a late consolation try but it came too late to change the result giving St Mary’s a deserved win.

St Mary’s played their best rugby in the second game against Excelsior, with the breakdown being dominated by the power of Jack Wright, Saqlain Ghaffar and Alex Wharton, allowing Harry Buggy to supply the backs with quick ball to start wave after wave of attacks. St Mary’s couldn’t find the breakthrough, with Alex Wharton, Saqlain Ghaffar, Ben Jubb and Damon Baghi all stopped just short of the goal line. It came back to cost them late in the game, when Excelsior broke several tackles and weaved their way through the St Mary’s defence to steal the win with a minute to go.

The Y8’s played their final game against Kenton and played a very hard fought game. Nathan Challoner had several exceptionally powerful carries, making good ground and forcing Kenton to use 3 tacklers to bring him down on several occasions. He finally had his reward with his third try of the day, thanks to some excellent passing from Ben Jubb and Mateusz Duzceck. Kenton hit back strongly though and deservedly scored an equalising try to even the scores, ending the game in a draw.

The Y7 team played 4 matches against Blyth, 3 Rivers, Norham and Hayden Bridge, winning 3 and drawing 1 to finish top of their group.

In game 1 St Mary’s faced Norham. Sam MacDonald shone early and made several tough tackles on players much bigger than himself to stop several Norham attacks. St Mary’s quickly settled and began to pass the ball well, and had their rewards with 4 tries to put the game beyond the reach of Norham and win the tie 4-1. Game 2 against Blyth was a very tight game, but St Mary’s managed to sneak the win 2-1 with another excellent defensive display. Despite falling behind and being on the ropes early against Hayden Bridge in game 3 the Year 7 team finished out dominant winners, running in 9 tries in a fantastic display of attacking rugby to win 9-1. In their final game of the day St Mary’s needed only a draw to top the group, but they were put under extreme pressure all game by 3 Rivers who spent the majority of the match in the St Mary’s half. The St Mary’s defence stuck to their task brilliantly, with tackle after tackle flying in to turn away the opposition time and time again. St Mary’s had a chance late on to steal the win but a late knock on ended their attack and finished the game in a draw, leaving St Mary’s the top of their group with 10 points from their 4 games.

The boys were brilliant all day in very windy conditions which made passing and basic attacking very difficult. The attitude and commitment shown throughout the day was excellent and bodes very well for all future festivals.

Mr Hook and Mr Welford.

Players of the day:

Y8 –

Damon Baghi – some outstanding tackling throughout the day, rarely being beaten and repeatedly stopping his man dead in his tracks.

Daniel Young – some fantastic carries and tough tackling, supported by an excellent attitude towards the game.

Man of the day – Nathan Challoner – powerful running and tackling, with 3 tries and several excellent breaks through the opposition defence.

Y7 –

Bobby Ramsey – excellent leadership throughout the day, and made good ground with some excellent running.

Man of the day – Sam MacDonald – a rock in defence all day, being a major part of an excellent defence which only conceded 3 tries in 3 games.

The Teams:

Y7: Fred Eltringham, Sam MacDonald, Edmond Kelly , Niall Boothroyd, Joe Regan, Archie McConnell, Joe Ferguson, Darragh O’Hare, Bobby Ramsey, James Devine Cooper, Jarno Ambelez.

Y8: Daniel Young, Giacomo Kasar, Mateusz Duczeck, Alex Wharton, Jack Wright, Saqlain Ghaffar, Ben Jubb, Damon Baghi, Jack Pilling, Jake Davison, Sam Lievesley, Harry Buggy.