National Final Awaits Astley Girls
The winners with the trophy
The year 10 girls' Rugby League team are celebrating their success in recent local, area and regional competitions and will now go on to represent the North East of England in the Carnegie Champion Schools Competition finals which are to be held in Hindley, Greater Manchester later this month.
Last year the team narrowly lost to Parkside School, the County Durham representatives in the regional final. On Thursday they faced the same team again at the same stage of the competition, having beaten opposition from South Tyneside in the area final on 5th May.
Rugby league has grown in popularity at Astley and from humble beginning's, last year there are now some 25 girls who regularly take part in this option within core PE lessons. As a result Astley was able to field two teams for the local and area rounds of the national competition.
Astley arrived early and prepared well. They knew that they had to maintain composure and stick to their game plan if they were to overcome a team who had beaten them by one point in the previous year's competition. They looked exceptionally smart in the dark rugby tops but this could have led to disaster.
Nerves were tense as both teams were introduced to the crowd and went through the introductory formalities before starting the match.
Astley were off to a flying start overturning Parkside possession and winning quick penalties by the speed of their play. However a time out was called for Astley to remove the dark tops and play in their usual school kit of white shirts and royal blue shorts as the original colours closely resembled those of Parkside which was proving frustrating for both players and referee. Astley were now more at ease and began to play their usual fast flowing style of rugby. An early try was converted by captain Caitlin Fickling and so Astley were 6 0 up in no time.
Parkside, however, had other ideas and pressed hard. Exchanges of possession for each team were the result of good tackling from both teams. Parkside suddenly broke down the left wing and raced past Astley defence to score a try. Nerves clearly showed - or a lack of practice - as the conversion kicked failed. 6-4 to Astley.
Both teams pushed for control of play, and Astley had the better luck. Regaining possession as a result of the sixth tackle, Astley pushed hard and scored a second try (10-6) but unfortunately the conversion was unsuccessful.
Parkside's squad was smaller than Astley's and that together with a judicious use of the 'rolling sub' system by coaches Miss Robinson and Lee Carbutt saw a third try for Astley shortly before half time. Caitlin Fickling made her second conversion. Astley led 16 - 4 at half time.
Although the score line looked comfortable for Astley they could not afford to relax as Parkside had good players who would be very quick if they were to gain possession. Good team work together with excellent passing saw Astley gain another try but failed to convert again.
Parkside continued to push forward whenever they gained possession but Astley's strength and depth of squad began to show. Parkside lost a player due to injury and had no substitutes to use. Astley took advantage and scored again. Emily Streener converted for a 26 -4 lead.
By the time Parkside had returned to the centre for the re-start, the full time whistle was blown. Astley were victorious and would be travelling to Hindley to take part in the National Finals of the Carnegie Champions Schools competition for girls.
