LONG BENTON COLLEGE 12 SMITHYCROFT SECONDARY 52
Smithycroft Secondary are the first Scottish School team to reach the Quarter Final stages, of the Powergen Champion Schools Tournament, after demolishing Long Benton College (Newcastle) in the last 16 play offs at year 9.
The game played at Bullocksteads, Northumbria University Playing Fields, saw the Glasgow outfit dominate from the first kick and very rarely did their line look threatened with superb tackling and attacking play.
Smithycroft Secondary have only been involved with Rugby, in general, since September 2003 after the school took up the offer from the Easterhouse Panthers J.R.L.F.C to become part of the clubs school club link programme, the result, of the programme, has seen 17 dedicated second years progress to create a very competitive school team who took the Scottish rounds of the Powergen competition by storm to qualify for the last 16 play offs.
The Smithycroft story does not end there, the school have now committed to structuring a girls Rugby League team, work for which will start on Tuesday 8th March 2004 with a six week curricular programme.
Easterhouse Panthers Chairman Neil McNair is delighted with the schools programme which has evolved to provide the majority of the Panthers Under 14 squad who will embark on their Scottish Junior League Championship at the end of April.
SNOW CAUSES POSTPONEMENT FOR LAST 16
Smithycroft Secondary have to wait a further week for their long awaited clash against Long Benton College.
The game was postponed due to the extreme weather conditions encountered in the North East last weekend.
The game will now take place on Sunday 7th March 04 Kick off 1pm. Venue remains the same as the previously arranged fixture.
SMITHYCROFT MAKE LAST 16
Smithycroft Secondary scraped victory against Grange Academy to seal a place in the final rounds of the Powergen Champion Schools Tournament.
On Thursday 29th February Smithycroft Secondary S2 Rugby League team travelled to Kilmarnock in a bid to gain entry to the final stages of the Powergen Champion Schools Tournament.
In conditions better suited to amphibians the two sides battled it out consistently to produce a very evenly competed game.
Smithycroft trailed by a try at half time and were looking to regain the lead from the kick off but a very determined Grange outfit would deny them the opportunity right up to the last 10 minutes when Smithy finally managed to run in to level the scores at 24 points each.
Granges heads went down and Smithycroft capitalised to run in a further try which looked to seal Granges fate however some inspiring runs from their prop forwards and a little complacency saw Grange score just as the final whistle blew.
Score after full time Grange Academy 28 Smithycroft Secondary 28
After consultation with the two coaches and the match official both teams agreed to play the golden point rule to decide who would go through to the final round.
Smithycroft won the toss and opted to receive the kick.
One set of six saw the Glasgow outfit run in a try much to the despair of Grange
Final Score:
Grange Academy 28 Smithycroft Secondary 32
Smithycroft Secondary will now travel to Newcastle to take on Long Benton College in a bid to gain a place in the quater finals of the competition.
Long Benton v Smithycroft Sunday 29th Feb 04 at Northumbria University pitches, Newcastle.
