Great effort from Southern Schools in National Schools Cup
Narrow losses in the later stages of the competition for Langley Park, Dorothy Stringer and St James in great matches played in St Helens, Hull and Whitehaven.
the three remaining Southern Schools in the National Champion Schools Rugby League Competition put in a great effort, but all three suffered narrow defeats in the latter stages of the Competition.
In the Year 7 Competition, Langley Park School from Beckenham, travelled to St Helens to play an undeafeated Rainford High School for a place in the National Semi-Final. Despite scoring the only try Rainford had conceded all year, and a strong defensive effort late in the game, Langley Park eventually went down 30-4.
In Year 8, Dorothy Stringer School from Brighton, travelled to Hull KR's ground, Craven Park, to take on Archbishop Sentamu for a place in the National Quarter-Finals. After an epic struggle, Dorothy Stringer eventually went down 28-24.
In Year 10, St James' Boys School from Ashford, travelled to Whitehaven and played St Benedict's School in the Ortus Rec Stadium, the home of Whitehaven RLFC. Despite having several chances, they also narrowly missed out on a place in the National Quarter-Finals, eventually losing 34-26.
In the two matches which had already been played, in Year 9, St James' Boys School had travelled to Barrow and lost another tight match 28-24 to St Bernard's School, to miss out on a place in the National Qarter-Finals. In year 11, Hemel Hempstead School hosted Bridgewater High School from Warrington and were beaten 52-6.
Congratulations to all these schools in a great effort in the National Competition and in a major achievement in reaching the latter stages of the National Competition. The closeness of the matches shows the progress the Southern schools have made in playing rugby league, and we look forward to another great competition next year.
