Corpus Christi Catholic College experienced a roller-coaster of emotions at the John Charles Centre for sport last night as they celebrated the massive achievement of having three different year groups make the Leeds & Hunslet Schools Finals as well as another year finish as semi-finalists’.
There was a particularly fine display of Rugby League on show as the three finals were played between:
Corpus Christi vs John Smeatonn at Year 8
Corpus Christi vs The South Leeds Academy – Year 9
Corpus Christi vs Priesthorpe – Year 10
Report by: Danny Edmondson – Leeds Rhinos High School Development Officer
The Year 8 final was up first and started like a dream for Corpus full-back Jack Cooper. After an error from the kick off, Cooper received the ball from the base of the scrum and pulled out one of his trademark jinking runs where he seems to move as fast sideways as he does forward, scoring in the corner. The try was the first flash of brilliance leading to an eventual man of the match performance selected by the event sponsors John and Elaine Edwards awarding Cooper the Garry Chappelow Trophy. Further first half tries from prop Shaun Jordan, second row Ryan Massey, loose forward Joe Pearson and hooker Dylan Simpson and a conversion from stand-off Adam Gibbons seemed to give Corpus an unassailable lead against a solitary break away try from Rick Appiah-Mensah converted by Matt Hatch of John Smeaton. However in the second half Smeaton did their up most to rewrite the script by reversing the start to the first half and scoring more or less straight from the break in the form of Ryan Robertson. Appiah – Mensah then traded scores with Alex Williams and a second from Man of the Match Jack Cooper, to bring up Appiah-Mensah’s hat trick, and the lead began to narrow thanks to the ever reliable boot of Hatch. But there would be no fairy tale ending for Smeaton as two more tries from Callum Deville and a second from Dylan Simpson, who’s performance at hooker was outstanding, keeping a large Corpus pack well organised, marching down the field, put the game out of sight for Smeaton and saw Corpus run out the eventual winners 40-24.
The dream afternoon had begun for Corpus, but to continue it they had to overcome last year’s National finalists The South Leeds Academy which is no easy task. Some bone crunching tackles from Michael Oleyami from South Leeds set the tone and stopped any early advances from Corpus. At the end of the first set of the game a smart kick from Corpus Stand-off Patrick Graham nearly led to an early try however South Leeds full-back Scott Sharp turned a Corpus chance into a South Leeds try in a sensational 8 point play that saw him pluck the ball out of the hands of the Corpus winger on his own 40 metre and race home in the opposite corner. A dream start for South Leeds converted by prop Dyson Nicholson whose relentless work rate was a standout performance and rewarded with an impressive points tally of 16 with two tries and four goals. The first half was somewhat of a masterclass from South Leeds who dominated possession building a healthy first half lead. In the second half Corpus came into the game a lot more lead by the pure grit and determination from full-back Jack Carroll and stand-off Patrick Graham, the never say die attitude lifting their team mates to respond with two tries from Nicholas Goulden and Kevin Wolstonholme both of which Wolstonholme converted. But the scoring efforts from Sam Firsth, Fungai Mandeya and another Scott Sharp alongside conversions from, the Rob Burrow Man of the Match Nicholson meant the result was never really in any doubt and South Leeds picked up the cup, supported by David Dockray as 32-16 winners.
The Year 10 Cup saw the third Corpus team take on Priesthorpe in what looked to be a mouth-watering clash between two evenly sized teams. The opening exchanges reflected this as tries from hat trick hero, Shane Jones-Price and Adam Waite, converted by Spencer Taylor were met by a great effort in the corner as Ethan Wigglesworth seized an opportunity, very similar to one that eluded him moments earlier, as well as a 70 metre interception try by Lewis Bond. As the game wore on the Priesthorpe forwards seemed to have the advantage when working the floor leading to an ever increasing share of both possession and field position. The Corpus defence held strong and determined however prop Ben Tinker-Harper squeezed over to extend their lead. The second half saw Priesthorpe kick on slightly as two more tries from Shane Jones-Price and Jake Croft seemed to put the game to bed. However all credit goes to Corpus who fought back with efforts from the outstanding scrum half Kyle Ratchford, converting his own try and a second from Wigglesworth. It was Priesthorpe though, who would have the last say with Olly Brook stretching over to score from what looked like too far a distance and Josh Foster bursting through. The Alan Snowdon Memorial Man of the Match award was given to Priesthorpe stand-off Shane Jones-Price as he hat trick helped secure a score line of 40-18 in Priesthorpes favour.
A special mention must be made to the Corpus coach James Endersby for the fantastic work he has done developing Corpus Christi from a situation where just a few years ago very few teams played Rugby League to 2013 having three finalists and one semi which is a great achievement.
Many thanks must also go to all the P.E teachers involved in coaching all teams throughout the competition and giving up their free time to take on and develop the kids involved. A massive thank you has to go to Lee Parkin who organises the fixtures and results, without his invaluable work the tournament would not have taken place all year. Also to the John Charles Centre for sport for allowing us to stage the event there and finally to all the event and Man of the Match sponsors for their continued support of Leeds Rugby Foundation.