St Benedict's School complete Outstanding Season
The victorious St Benedict's Yr8 Squad at Keswick RUFC after another victory!
St Benedicts School could have been forgiven if their Rugby Union had suffered a slight dent after the retirement of long serving Head of PE – Terry Coughlan. However the resulting effects have been quite the contrary. The introduction of Garyth Orton to the Staff at the School has been a great addition and provided the School with a new direction and enthusiasm which has also become infectious through the player base.
This season has been a long and challenging one with ultimately terrific success across all the age groups, with a clean sweep at the Copeland Year 7, 8 & 9 Festivals at the beginning of the Season with the opportunity to compete against other Cumbrian District winners in the District Finals to be held early in 2010. It has been a particularly good Season for the Year 8 Players many of which first played in the Yr 5&6 Tag Rugby Festivals a few years ago.
A friendly match defeat for the Yr8’s followed against Cockermouth School losing by 24 points to 12 points for the Yr 8 Squad which served as a great learning curve for them. Some lessons were learned in the early games against more traditional rugby playing schools but were ultimately beneficial. Step forward Martin Grealish, Community Rugby Coach for Copeland and a very thorough practice session with Martin soon ironed out any faults and inconsistencies across the ages and improved the confidence of all squads in this area.
The school Yr8’s team were also entered in the Cumbrian Schools 10 a side Rugby Union tournament at Penrith. In the pool stages St Benedict’s defeated; Netherhall 27 – 0; Windermere St Anne’s 31 – 0; Keswick School 31 – 0 and QEGS 19 - 5. The final was a very hard fought and close affair with St Benedict’s taking an early lead with two unconverted tries and then UCC hitting back very hard. In the second half UCC put St Benedict’s under terrific pressure and tremendous defensive tackling held out the UCC team. In the final seconds of the game Nathan Doran (scrum half) capitalised on a UCC mistake to run 30 metres to score and put the game to bed ensuring a St Benedict’s victory.
The next stop on the Yr8 journey was Northwich RUFC for the North West State Schools Tournament. In a new format St Benedict’s played; South Wirral 22 – 0 & Sale Grammar School 38 – 7 in their pool games. Other pool winners were Altrincham GS and Bramhall School. The first progression match was against Altrincham with the score at 7 points all the Altrincham left wing got away and was tearing down the wing with the try line at his mercy. Captain and fly half Dominic Wear made a try saving tackle stripping the winger of the ball as well as making 30 or so metres up field. That was a turning point in the match and from there St Benedict’s grew stronger and won the game by 17 points to 7 points. The final game of the tournament was a winner takes all match as Bramhall had defeated Altrincham by 19 - 7. This match was a very hard fought affair with both teams giving nothing away and the tackling was really fierce. Jamie Haley (winger), Jake Moore (flanker), Daniel Caine (No 8) and the centres Tom Ferguson and Jacob Carton all tackled well and the first up defence was superb. At the death of the game with the scores level at 7 points all St Benedict’s were awarded a penalty close to the Bramhall try line, opting to run the ball the team got closer and closer to the try line and Dominic Wear made a break to score but was held up almost on the line and with the last move of the game in the last seconds of the match Nathan Doran dummied a pass from the maul and threw himself over the try line to score the winning points. St Benedicts won the game 12 - 7. The whole squad were terrific playing really good rugby both in attack and defence.
The final game of the season was the Cumbria Schools Rugby Union County Final played at Keswick RUFC against Ullswater Community College – a repeat of the 10 a side final. The squad would be really tested with last minute replacements and a re-jigging of the back line. The plan was to get in front quickly and use the width of the pitch for the strong running centres and wings. After 15 minutes St Benedict’s had scored three converted tries and so led 21 - 0. Ullswater weren’t finished and they came strongly back into the game scoring two unconverted tries and they continued to pressurise the St Benedict’s try line. So at half time St Benedict’s led by 28 – 15 a good return given the sin binning of Captain Dominic Wear for an alleged high tackle. In the second half UCC mounted a series of sustained attacks on the St Benedict’s try line but the defence held firm. UCC scored an unconverted try to narrow the lead but St Benedict’s answered with a charging try from Daniel Caine (No 8) converted by Jake Moore (full back) to extend the lead. Again further pressure from UCC led to a try saving tackle from Jacob Carton (centre). A series of scrums followed where special mention must go to Danny Dougherty (hooker) and his props Adam Cunningham and David Bradley for winning three strikes against the head in quick succession. From a strong Tom Ferguson (centre) run and chip ahead Dominic Wear collected the bouncing ball to score under the posts and with the successful conversion the referee blew the final whistle and St Benedict’s had emerged victorious by 42 points to 20 points.
Some of the haul form the exploits of the St Benedict's Yr8 Squad
Thanks to Garyth Orton - St Benedicts School for words and pictures.
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