SPORTS REPORT

Cricket Under 14's V Aireville

The U14s beat Aireville in a high-scoring game at home. Fielding first Settle were set 129 to win (H Marshall, 3 for 10) although they could have done themselves a favour if they had taken more than one of the six catching chances that Aireville offered. In reply Jack Walker (52 not out) and Ben Lee (36) set about their task with confidence and laid the foundation for captain James Laycock, Will Wildman Adam Batty and Nathan Summersgill-Smith to close the game out with three overs remaining.

Carnegie Champion Schools Girls’ Rugby League 2010

The Year 10 team travelled to St. Cuthbert’s, Wigan for the 2010 Carnegie Challenge Schools Girls’ Rugby League national finals. The weather had cooled in comparison with the heatwave of the previous weekend although the pitches remained baked, and looked to be an uncomfortable prospect in a hard tackle. Not that this bothered the girls, who started their task of finishing in the first two and making it into the play-off finals with a first meeting with Cumbrian champions Whitehaven. Settle took the early initiative and scored early through Lauren Stallwood. They then took their foot of the gas and Whitehaven were allowed a break that took them into the Settle 20, and from there they scored on their fifth tackle. Settle were shaken from their complacency and struck back with renewed vigour; Stallwood being joined by Rosie Rushton and Ellie Fullalove in making good ground in the middle. Their defence was solid too, and Whitehaven were not allowed another step into the Settle half all game, and it was wrapped up when Dugdale went over after good pressure forced a knock-on close to the Whitehaven line, and they were unable to respond with any meaningful attacks thereafter for Settle to win 12 – 4.

Rachel Carter (hidden) gets to grips with the Whitehaven centre with Faye Ambler, Ellie Fullalove and Sophie Akrigg on hand to help.

In the second game, against Wade Deacon, there was no let up, and Settle’s relentless tackling and fast defence stymied and hope of a score, whilst at the same time pressing and probing in attack that led to a comfortable 8 -0 win with Stallwood. Olivia Cunliffe and Faye Ambler played with confidence and were ruthless in the tackle and Thea Middleton, playing wide, finally got her hands on the ball to make a couple of sniping runs.

Rosie Rushton sets off an a charge, watched by Sophie Akrigg, Ellie Fullalove and Lauren Dugdale.

The third and final game was against St. Wilfrid’s, with Settle playing down the gentle slope and making full use of the slight advantage. Once again the inside players caused havoc with their positive running and support play, and the St. Wilfrid’s girls were surprised by the ferocity of the tackles that the Settle players were putting in, and consequently were more reluctant to take defenders on. Dugdale crossed the line on the first set of six, but unfortunately it was the dead ball line and defenders had a restart from their 20 metre line. They made only about thirty metres with the ball, however, and after Fullalove, Cunliffe and Ambler went close, Stallwood blasted through for the fourth of her seven tries of the afternoon. Whilst St. Wilfrid’s continued to attack bravely their passing was patchy, and Dugdale snapped up a knock-on to race away seventy meters to score – in the right place this time. The game was wrapped up with five minutes to go when the unstoppable Stallwood broke through a by now demoralised defence, and Rushton slotted her third conversion for it to finish 18 – 0, and for Settle to top the division.

This meant a semi-final clash with Lowton School, Wigan, who had sneaked through on points difference over a plucky Kennedy School, Coventry in their final game. By this stage Settle were flowing, and playing rugby of high quality, and they set out their store with a show of powerful attacking and rock solid defence to dominate throughout and win 12 – 0. Lowton’s only chance to score was late on but the kick through on the sixth tackle fell to the ever-prepared Akrigg and Settle saw out the game to send them into the Wembley final  in August and another meeting with their nemesis, Castleford High. Revenge here for their recent defeat in the Yorkshire final would indeed be sweet, but Settle will need to repeat this day’s efforts and more to lift the trophy in London.