2012 Carnegie Champion Schools Finals
Thursday August 23
Odsal Stadium, Bradford


GIRLS YEAR 7
Castleford Academy 10 v 32 St Peters RC High School
By Mark Ridgway

St Peters RC High School Year 7 girls eventually overcame Castleford Academy 32-10 in the
Carnegie Champion Schools Final.

Two tries at crucial times from Kieara Peniston proved the difference as St Peters saw off a spirited Castleford side with a strong second half.

Peniston gave St Peters the lead after three minutes when she forced herself through for the opening try, with Georgia Metz successfully converting.

Castleford did hit back through Lucy Jordan’s try, but it was St Peters who led at the break 10-4 thanks to Tiyarna Braithwaite, whose pace helped her secure a try.

After the restart the Manchester outfit, St Peters, edged further ahead as Christive Naume touched down before Castleford hit back again.

Saffron Burrows brought the Yorkshire side back into contention with an impressive try before Georgia Beckett kicked to shorten the lead.

However within a minute later Peniston broke and touched down to put St Peters back in the driving seat, as Metz extended the lead with the kick.

Naume of St Peters then showed great improvisation to ride a tackle and record a try as Metz was again successful with her kick.

The scoring was rounded off late on as Kevonique Brissett ran clear for the final try before Metz converted to complete the 32-10 score line.

St Peters coach, Ceris Dixon said: “I’m really pleased as quite a few of the girls didn’t know much about Rugby League. Kieara ran in really hard for the second try and did really well.”


Sophie Cox Medal winner: Briched Atta (St Peters)

 
GIRLS YEAR 8
St Peters RC High School 40 v 22 Settle Middle School
By Adam Grice

Janice Asamoah ran in a stunning seven tries as she helped St Peters beat Settle Middle 40-22 in the Year Eight Carnegie Champion Schools final.

The Manchester-based side made it back to back titles following a successful campaign last year when they won the Year Seven competition.

North Yorkshire’s Settle scored the first points of the match after an Emily Panter try gave them a four point lead after four minutes.

St Peters quickly responded as the Lisa McIntosh medal winner, Asamoah breezed through a vacant Settle defence to level the scores, before Hope Adex kicked the conversion.

Settle responded with two tries of their own from Jade Owens and Gabi Kayley, both of which were converted by Panter.

However there was no stopping Asamoah who, with the aid of Hope Adex ensured St Peters lead 12–10 at half time.

The second half belonged to St Peters’ Janice Asamoah who commanded the game with a further five tries. Adex continued to push up the points for St Peters’ as she kicked six out of her seven conversions.

With little under 10 minutes to play, Panter tried to resurrect a comeback for Settle. However, it was to no avail despite her second try and a successful conversion from her kicking partner Millie Sharp.


Lisa McIntosh Medal winner: Janice Asamoah (St Peters)

 
BOYS YEAR 8
South Leeds Academy 18 v 34 St Wilfrids School
By Matthew Shaw


St Wilfrids won their first ever National Final as they overcame a committed South Leeds side 34-18.

Loose Forward Will Dagger was the star of the show as he ran in three superb tries to complete an outstanding performance from the West Yorkshire outfit.

St Wilfrids began the game in bullish mood, running rampant over the Leeds outfit by scoring five unanswered tries in just twelve minutes.

It was Dagger who opened the proceedings with a fine individual effort before James Booth finished a superb flowing move that emphasised the ability in the Wakefield outfit with Dagger adding the two points.

Tries from Jack Greensmith, Dagger and Zac Freer soon followed with a trio of Dagger conversions before Scot Sharp ran over for South Leeds to give them a glimmer of hope with Nicholson adding the extras.

However, Jamie Longstrutt touched down in the corner to snuff out Leeds’ chances. Dagger failed with the conversion this time.

Sam Firth scored in the corner from the impressive Sharp’s kick, before Sharp himself grabbed his second to give South Leeds some consolation, however, Dagger scrambled over for his third and converted his own try to put the icing on the cake for his side.

St Wilfrids coach Darren Holmes said, “I’m delighted with the lad’s performance today.”

“We talked about setting our stall out early but I never expected us to go out and make the impact we did and to then keep our composure at the end was just superb.”


Kevin Sinfield Medal winner: Will Dagger (St Wilfrids)
 

GIRLS YEAR 9
Castleford Academy 12 v 12 Settle College
By Mark Ridgway

The Year 9 Girl’s final was shared after a closely fought 12-12 draw between Castleford Academy and Settle College.

The Wakefield side ran in a late try as their pressure finally told on a resolute Settle defence.

It was the North Yorkshire side that opened the scoring when Lois Procter ran in for a try, with Niamh Benson adding the extras to the score with her kick.

Castleford fought back however and Georgie Hetherington produced a wonderful solo try, running the length of the pitch to touch down.

Katie Proud’s successful conversion brought the side back level at 6-6 for the half-time hooter.

After the break and a rejuvenated Settle re-took the lead, Emily Corns claiming a try as another accurate Benson conversion swung the pendulum their way.

Castleford turned up the heat, and as it began to look as if the draw would elude them they levelled to share the trophy.

Maisie Thornton’s late try was added to by a Katie Proud conversion under pressure, as the game ended 12-12.

Settle coach, Sophie Morley, said: “The defence was outstanding and I couldn’t have asked for any more from them.”

Meanwhile Castleford coach, Keith Bullimore, said: “I think a draw was the fair result and no doubt we’ll have plenty more encounters with Settle soon.”


Kath Hetherington Medal winner: Amber Tudor (Castleford Academy)


BOYS YEAR 9
Sts Peter & Paul Catholic College 30 v 18 Temple Moor High School
By Adam Grice

Twins Carl and Daniel Keoghan scored two late tries as St Peter and Paul Catholic College beat Temple Moor High School 30–18 to be crowned Champions.

Left centre Daniel rounded off victory for Sts Peter and Paul with the best try of the game, after a teammate ran almost the length of the pitch before offloading to allow Keoghan a simple touchdown underneath the posts.

Leeds based Temple Moor, took an early lead following a Jonny Hynes try and Josh Jordan-Roberts’ conversion, but the Halton based Catholic college struck back with two tries in as many minutes to lead 12 – 6 at the break.

Jack May scored the first try from the right wing and that was quickly followed up by a try and double conversion from scrum half Edward Connor.

Two minutes after the restart, a Mackenzie Colley try and Jordan-Roberts conversion drew Temple Moor back on level terms.

This was however short lived as minutes later, Oliver Ashall touched down for the Widnes based side and Connor calmly kicked the resulting conversion to restore Sts Peter and Paul’s lead to 18–12.

With ten minutes left Temple Moor made their pressure pay after Harvey Hallas scored their third try of the match and Hynes kicked a successful conversion.

Just as it looked like the prize was going to be shared, St Peter and Paul found some reserved energy scoring two tries in three minutes, from the Keoghan twins.

This ensured they would be the sole holders of the trophy as Connor again kicked successfully on the final whistle to end the match 30–18.


Terry O’Connor Medal winner: Eddie Connor (Sts Peter & Paul)


GIRLS YEAR 10
Castleford Academy 18 v 48 Hollingworth Business & Enterprise College
By Matthew Shaw

An inspired Hollingworth performance saw them overcome Castleford Academy 48-18.

A hat-trick of tries courtesy of the fantastic Haley Fielding set the ball rolling as her side romped to victory in an eight-try master class.

Hollingworth couldn’t have wished for a better start, scoring five times in twenty minutes with Fielding touching down three times along with teammates Sophie Holden and Alex James going over shortly afterwards. Holly Coburn added the extras for the first three and Holden the latter two

As the second half kicked off it sparked Castleford into life as Amy Tait crashed over to give optimism for a comeback, captain Lizzie Beckett added the extras, but it was short lived as another Holden try and a splendid effort from Jessica Hopkins diminished any thoughts of a comeback, Coburn adding the extras for both.

Hollie Powell got Castleford’s second try of the game with Beckett adding the conversion, before Hollingworth replied instantly with Chloe Webster racing to the line, Coburn added the extras.

Castleford were to get the last laugh of the game when Brogun Churm charged over with Beckett adding the two, but it was the outstanding Hollingworth who lifted the trophy.


Brenda Dobek Medal winner: Hayley Fielding (Hollingworth)
 

BOYS YEAR 10
Ystalyfera School 6 v 44 Outwood Grange Academy
By Mark Ridgway

Outwood Grange Academy were the last winners on a day of excellent schools Rugby League with a 44-6 victory over Ystalyfera School.

The year group were making their fourth final and were too good for their Welsh counterparts.

Maveric Stacey opened the scoring early on with a well worked try before Keiran Holt repeated the feat, which was added to by a Max Jowitt conversion to put Outwood firmly in the driving seat.

After some sloppy Ystalyfera defending Jordan Hall capitalised and touched down for the Wakefield outfit before Tom Megretton converted.

Sam Mawson and Ben Fisher then provided tries to add to the lead with Jowitt adding the extras with his kick.

After the break Ystalyfera were given a glimmer of hope when James Roberts touched down and Luc Williams converted to bring them back into the game.

Almost instantly after however Outwood replied, Callum Sampson’s try was added to by a Jowitt conversion as normal service was resumed.

Jacob Ware was the next to add to the Outwood scoring with a try before Jowitt extended the lead as tempers threatened to over boil.

Keiran Holt then ran under the posts for the Yorkshire men as Jowitt rounded off the scoring with his fifth successful conversion.

Outwood coach, Roy Sampson, said: “They’re a special bunch of players, they’ve done so well and it’s a privilege to teach them.”


Denis Betts Medal winner: Keiran Holt (Outwood Grange)