THE Saddleworth School year eight rugby team defied wet and blustery conditions to sweep aside Great Sankey School, Warrington, 42-6 away to leave them top of their group in North West pool D of the Carnegie Champion Schools’ Competition.
Having won the toss and wisely deciding to play down-wind and downhill in the first half, the visitors racked up four quick tries, all scored by player-of-the-match Jack Sinfield. This comfortable 26-0 half time cushion enabled the team to play with further confidence in the second half and this time it was Nolan Tupaea, courtesy of his powerful running, who chipped in with four tries of his own in the second period of play.
Sinfield’s trusty boot converted five of the eight tries which was an admirable feat in gale force conditions. A special mention goes to Blake Morgan who terrorised the host’s defence, eating up ground every time he touched the ball.
Next up for the boys will be a home tie in the quarter-finals with the likely opponents St John Fisher School, Wigan.
Meanwhile, Saddleworth School’s year seven rugby team bowed out of the North West Carnegie Champion Schools’ Competition after they were beaten 8-4 by Dean Trust, Wigan, in a tight contest at Churchill Playing Fields.
Inexperience and a littany of errors meant that Jack Wood’s opportunistic try, courtesy of a dart from dummy half, was Saddleworth’s only score of a highly competitive affair.
Next up for the team will be a trip to Cowley, St Helens.
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