13.4 – U11s County Cup Semi-Final away at Ponteland
This was always going to be a hard game involving two very talented sides. As expected the game was full of quality, strength and best of all, the pupils all played with an exceptional positive attitude. Both teams were a credit to their schools.
The game was full of midfield battles, goal chances and strong defensive tackles and saves. It started with the teams going toe to toe exchanging a few early chances, but it was Newminster who took the lead thanks to the relentless pressure demonstrated by Georgio La Rosa and the goal scorer Tom Wales. Soon after Ponteland scored a powerful top-corner strike to level it up. Then Tom was at it again and once again put us back in front. The game then settled, with the Newminster midfield and defense working tirelessly to keep out Ponteland and saw us through to half time, 2-1 up.
The first goal of the second half was going to be vital for both teams, and it was with excellent work down the right from Tom and James McConnell that the ball was crossed for a fine finish from Josh Grenfell. This seemed only to spur on Ponteland and if it wasn’t for more last-ditch tackles and wonder saves from Dan McConnell the game could have easily swung in favour of Ponteland. However, with Ponteland sending players forward there was always going to be chances for break-away goals and James McConnell provided just that with 2 superb finishes either side of a Ponteland goal. With the score at 5-2 the game was taken away from Ponteland and Newminster comfortably saw out the last few minutes and booked their place in the Final on April 28th at Astley High. Arguably their best team performance of the season so far. Good luck in the Final, boys!
Squad:
| 6M | Matthew Walton | 6P | Ollie Bruce |
| 6P | Roan Parker | ||
| 6J | Dan McConnell | 6P | Harvey Gillie |
| 6J | Giorgio La Rosa | 6P | James McConnell |
| 6J | Louie Gourlay | 6F | Tom Wales |
| 6J | Finlay Coulson | 6F | Josh Armsworth |
| 6F | Josh Grenfell |
14.4 – U13s Girls Cup Semi
18.4 – U11s and U13s girls footy tournament
20.4 – U13s Girls rugby North of England Finals tournament
After a fantastic season of transition level rugby the girls had qualified for this prestigious full contact tournament involving the best schools in the North of England. They had 4 group games and a potential Final if they topped the group. The first game was definitely the hardest against a very powerful Hexham team and despite some tough tackling and tries from Grace Bathgate and Ava Da Costa, they went down 6-2. This did however start the learning process of rucking over the ball and winning the ball in the break-down. The girls then stormed into a 4-1 lead in their second game against Teesdale with tries from Elena (2), Jess Gagie and Anna Thompson.
Unfortunately the opposition stepped up a gear in the second half and ended the game with a 4-4 draw. After 2 very different games the girls then played against another very powerful team from Workington. This was definitely their best performance so far, earning a very hard fought 6-6 draw with tries from Anna (2), Grace (2), Elena and Jess. It all came together nicely in the final game with the girls running in 8 tries to 2. 4 from Anna, and 2 each from Grace and Elena. The entire squad played with superb determination throughout and really developed their game in such a short space of time. Well done girls!
Squad
| 7C | Ava | Da Costa |
| 7U | Freya | Macalister |
| 8B | Elena | Saunders |
| 8B | Anna | Thompson |
| 8B | Ellie | Crabtree |
| 8B | Grace | Bathgate |
| 8B | Jess | Gagie |
| 8R | Charlotte | Douglas |
| 8R | Ellen | Fenwick |
27.4 – Y7/8 Handball Sports Partnership tournament for the Summer Games
We took 3 teams to this, which meant all the pupils who wanted to be involved got their chance at this Sports Partnership event. The 2nd and 3rd teams competed very well against Chantry 2nd and 3rd teams, then the highlight game being a match between our 2 teams as the final event. Well done to team 2 for finishing eventual winners of that battle! Team 1 were placed in a very competitive group with Chantry 1 and Ponteland 1 and 2. They started very well with a victory over Ponteland 2 and then a narrow defeat to Ponteland 1. With Chantry matching our results it came down to the final game between Newminster and Chantry to decide 2nd place.
The game was literally end to end throughout, with Newminster eventually pipping their neighbours 8-7. Fantastic team performances throughout, with special mention to goal machine Aiden Layug. Will and Elena repeatedly broke down opposition attacks and turned them into Newminster goal opportunities. Josh and Anna superbly took on the bravest (or daftest) position of Goalkeeper, making a multitude of fine saves as well as performing extremely well out of goal. Lucy and Grace took their opportunities on the pitch very well, always adding something positive when they came on. Final mention to Joe Berry who thoroughly deserved his spot in the first team despite being the only Y7 amongst them; strong in defense and attack.
Squads
| 1 | Lucy | Coulson | Joe | Berry | |
| Grace | Bathgate | Aiden | Layug | ||
| Elena | Saunders | Josh | Gair | ||
| Anna | Thompson | Will | Milburn | ||
| 2 | Jess | Gagie | Nathan | Hume | |
| Charlotte | Murray | James | Herron | ||
| Ellen | Fenwick | James | Seabrook | ||
| 3 | Alyssa | Phillips | Elija | Engelhardt | |
| Ellie | McLaughlin | Finn | Cottiss | ||
| Charlotte | Urwin | Charlie | Halliford | ||
| Daisy | Duddell | Robbie | Brown |
28.4 – U11s County Cup Final
for the second year in a row Newminster qualified for this competition at this age group. The game was played at Astley High school against Valley Gardens.
Arriving in heavy rain, we took part in a quick warm-up and were keen to get the game underway. The first few minutes looked like it was going to be a tight game with both teams mounting early attacks. However, Newminster were the first to step up through the gears and stormed into a 3-0 lead with excellent wing play from Tom Wales and James McConnell providing goals for Geogio La Rosa (2) and 1 for Tom himself.
With the weather rapidly deteriorating and a concern it may get abandoned the game settled into a more even competition and Valley stole a break-away goal taking it to half time. After a very brief team talk under parents umbrellas we started the second half again knowing the next goal would be hugely important.
Valley started the better side producing several good opportunities but Newminster once again were kept in the game with quality save after save from Captain, Dan McConnell. This seemed to inspire our team into action, and further powerful running from James and Tom lead to goals from each of them (2-James, 1 – Tom). In addition to these star performances from Dan, Tom and James, the lads wouldn’t have achieved them without the tireless hard work from the rest of the squad. Special mention must be made for: the superbly organised and hard working defense of Ollie Bruce, Harvey Gillie and Josh Armstrong; Louie Gourlay and Matty Walton, who played a half each at CDM and repeatedly broke down their attacks and turned them into chances for us; Roan Parker and Finlay Coulson who came on and added to the already hugely positive contributions in attack from Josh Grenfell and Georgio La Rosa.
A true team effort from the team who have played with an unbelievable attitude and determination all season, well done lads, you deserve this! Also a big thank you from me for the fantastic family and friends’ support (and umbrellas!).
Squad
| 6M | Matthew Walton | 6P | Ollie Bruce |
| 6P | Roan Parker | ||
| 6J | Dan McConnell | 6P | Harvey Gillie |
| 6J | Giorgio La Rosa | 6P | James McConnell |
| 6J | Louie Gourlay | 6F | Tom Wales |
| 6J | Finlay Coulson | 6F | Josh Armsworth |
| 6F | Josh Grenfell |
