Another fantastic display of Rugby League was on show at Headingley Stadium on Wednesday night (15th) as South Leeds Academy battled Woodkirk Academy for the Year 7 Burton Trophy supported by Dynamic Business Services and the David Strachan Man of the Match Award. After which the Grammar School at Leeds were part of a mouth-watering clash again with Woodkirk Academy for the Year 11 Cup supported by Mick Wilson and the Steve Jackson Man of the Match Award.
The Year 7 final was a nip and tuck first half with neither team really able to stamp their authority. Early tries from Brandon Campbell and Shane White with a conversion from Cameron O’Conner put South Leeds Academy into an early 10-0 lead. But a quick response from a Toby Sanni double either side of another Woodkirk try saw them take a narrow 14-10 advantage into the half time break.
In the second half an inspiring display by Woodkirk loose forward Tobi Sanni continued, storming away to double his first half tally and very generously give up his fifth to allow his teammate Max Clark to get on the score sheet also earning him the David Strachan Man of the Match award.This awesome display of raw talent along with well worked tries and conversions from Stand-off Greg Robinson meant that despite another fantastic effort from Brandon Campbell, Woodkirk pulled away to a 36-16 victory.
In the Year 11 Final Woodkirk seemed keen to do a very impressive double and a very well structured Woodkirk side seemed to have the game wrapped up at 18-6 at half time. An outstanding effort from marker saw The Grammar School’s winger Tom Megson steal the ball 1 on 1 and carry home from 30 yards out to open the scoring with a successful conversion from Sam Ward giving them an early 6-0 lead.
Woodkirk hit back with some quick play the balls and great work from dummy half by hooker Aiden Kay getting them into great field position. A great one handed off load allowed Sam Ottewell to strike back and the impeccable boot of Edward Macina levelled the scores. Further tries from Aiden Kay and Thomas Griffiths maximised by the boot of Macina assisted by a fantastic kicking game from Brandan French put Woodkirk firmly in the driver’s seat looking very comfortable at the half time whistle.
However the game truly was a tale of two halves as The Grammar School at Leeds came out with a very different plan in mind. Looking to play very expansive rugby The Grammar School pushed hard for the breakthrough which came in the form of Full Back Tom Gorman. Tom showed electrifying pace to race through a huge gap in the Woodkirk defence after hitting a great line on a short ball, rounding the full back and finishing close enough to the posts to allow Sam Ward to add the extras.
Tom’s second came in similar fashion. The Grammar School found him in space to once again round the Full Back and grab a brace. As the game came to the closing stages a close range effort from Wayde Rankin seemed to seal the contest for Woodkirk as once again the ever reliable Macina converted from near the touchline.
But the drama wasn’t over there, Tom Gorman was still to complete. a second half hat trick, his third and probably the most spectacular try was the match winner as he collected the ball near the touchline and bravely grubbered the ball past the winger and Full Back winning the foot race to score the try and earned himself a very well deserved Steve Jackson Man of the Match award along with the prestigious Leeds & Hunslet Schools Cup.