THE SADDLEWORTH School senior basketball team defeated Failsworth 32-29 in over-time to secure the Oldham Schools’ under-16s title.
Their reward is a coveted place in the Greater Manchester Championships in March 2016 at the prestigious Amaechi Centre.
Ethan Buckley and Greg Simister scored the vital three-point shots for Saddleworth that first forced the game into an extra period before finally repelling the resistance of a strong Failsworth outfit.
Radclyffe were placed third in the tournament that was staged at the Kaskenmoor Ball Hall.
Saddleworth School’s year nine rugby team defeated Hawkley Hall from Wigan 33-32 with a golden point drop goal in extra time courtesy of the boot of Joshua Yarwood following a dramatic conclusion to their quarter final in the North West Schools’ Competition.
A hat trick of tries from Sam Thackeray and a brace from Will Marston looked to have made the tie secure with the hosts holding a healthy 32-14 lead with 10 minutes remaining.
However, a sterling fightback from the visitors combined with some self-imploding rugby from Saddleworth forced the game into an extra period of play in which victory now appeared unlikely with Hawkley buoyed by their return from the brink.
With nerves shredded on the sidelines, it was Yarwood who remained coolest of all as he slotted home the vital kick whilst under pressure from the charging defence and fully 30 metres from the posts.
The victory means the team are now just 60 minutes away from the final at the Stobart Stadium, Widnes, in January and have now qualified to represent the North West as one of four teams from the region in the forthcoming national year nine Carnegie competition.
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