3.2.17 – Y5 Area Finals basketball at the home of the Newcastle Eagles.

A fantastic experience for our Y5 team who had qualified for the event earlier this year. They played the ‘Semi-final’ match just before the Eagles Game at Sports Central, against Shanklea Primary. A team they had already beaten on the way to this tournament, this game was much closer than the first meeting and at the end of normal time the score was 2-2, resulting in a shoot-out. Jasmine Rochester and Ben Hewitt were very confident in saying they would take the deciding shots for Newminster. With the scores still level after the girls shots for both teams, it was a straight shoot-out between Ben and the star player for Shanklea. Ben was the only scorer of the two resulting in Newminster qualifying for the Grand Final. After a brief rest watching the first half of the Eagles game, the team were ready for the final against a very strong (and tall!) Ponteland team. With hundreds of basketball fans watching, the team played their best basketball on the night, but weren’t strong enough to overcome their opponents. With well earned Runners up medals around their necks, we stayed to watch the Eagles win their match rounding off a good night out in ‘the Toon’!

Full squad:

7.2.17 – Y7 Girls’ Rugby League tournament at Churchill School.

The girls played against 4 other schools in their first taste of competitive Rugby League. The full squad of 16 played exceptionally well in their first 3 games, winning 6-0, 8-0 and 5-1 with tries from team captain Eadie Barakat (4), Ellisse Borley (3), Lucy McConnell (4), Ruby Gerrard (2), Hannah Bishop (2), Emma Gerrard, Louise Hardy, Ellie Chirnside and Orla Callaghan. They went into the final game with plenty of confidence and had to raise their game even more to play in without doubt their hardest game, against John Spence. We conceded a try early which shook off any hint of complacency and after exchanging some fantastic team plays and huge tackles, Lucy once again ran from deep and scored the equaliser. With further huge hits from both teams Newminster stepped up their performance and scored 2 late tries from Eadie Barakat and Ellie Chirnside. As well as all of these vital tries and running with the ball throughout the tournament, and unbelievable tackling from Kacy; I must give huge praise to the attitude, commitment and ability of the full squad who all played their part. Can’t wait for the next tournament next week!

Full squad:

9.2 – Y8 Girls’ Rugby League tournament at John Spence

The girls headed to John Spence on a bitterly cold and wet afternoon, in surprisingly good spirits. We were missing a few of the usual team as some were out on an Art trip. However, this allowed others to get an opportunity to play. In the first game it took a few minutes for the girls to warm up and get stuck in but they eventually won comfortably. The next game was again comfortable with some excellent tackling from Ella Joyce and others. In the third game against John Spence the girls struggled to handle their big ball-carriers but battled back well from going three tries down to gain a well earned draw.. The final game was not the best with the girls struggling to handle some of the more street-wise tactics of the team from Seaton Sluice and finished with their only loss. I think overall the day was a success with many of the girls experiencing their first piece of competitive rugby league. Hopefully they will look to continue it in the future.