The rugby season started strongly last Tuesday with our year 5 & 6 team taking to the (slightly) muddy fields at Old Ruts RFC. The day could hardly have gone much better with four wins and two draws for the team in the day.
The team, like a bike that’s been left outside, were a little rusty at first. Letting in soft tries to a Joseph Hood team but scoring good tries of their own. With St Matthew’s trailing 3-2 going into the final minute, Kalvin burst down the left
to score in the corner. The young referee looked uncertain, but with Paddy on the touchline performing an excellent task of commentator, touch judge and third umpire the try was awarded and the team were off to a drawing start.
Paddy has put a lot of work in with these players behind the scenes and it paid off as St Matthew’s set the pace in the next game with fast play from the off. Sam and Jai repeatedly found space and Sarah like a bird in flight enjoyed
time on the wing. Despite missing out on one try for going beyond the dead-ball area, we came out 3-1 winners over Sacred Heart B and held on to win 3-2 against the old enemy (Hollymount) in a nail-biting finish.
The team were buoyed by that result, and took the field for their final pool game against Sacred Heart A expecting to win. However, the defence from both teams seemed to still be on their half term break. The play was end to end,eventually finishing in a 5-5 draw. Time for the teams to catch their breath and see how the other results had gone. We had finished second in our pool,
so a third place play-off against Aragon beckoned. After the small break, the team, unusually, started quickly and with purpose, Katya running in a good length of the field try after a turnover. The defence applied pressure
all game and we finished 4-2 winners, meaning a third place finish and qualification to the finals on Friday 6th.
The Year Three and Four Rugby Team also had a competition this week and thoroughly enjoyed leaving the day undefeated. Well done Team!
