Rugby League’s Year 7 Boys inspiresport Champion Schools Final returns to Wembley Stadium this Saturday (August 12), when Archbishop Sentamu Academy of Hull take on Leigh’s Bedford High School in the Steven Mullaney Memorial Game.
Supported by inspiresport, Champion Schools is the RFL’s flagship schools' competition for girls and boys at years 7 to 11. The Year 7 Boys Final is named after Steven Mullaney, the schoolboy who in 1986 thrilled spectators and television viewers alike by scoring a superb solo try as Wakefield schools defeated St Helens at Wembley in the Challenge Cup Final curtain-raiser, but who died in tragic circumstances the following year.
Archbishop Sentamu reached Saturday’s final the hard way. A narrow, 16-10 home victory against Cowley International College from St Helens was followed by a visit to Pontypridd in the Welsh valleys to face Garth Olwg school where they triumphed 30-14 to book their semi-final.
Coach, James Abbott, says:
“This competition has provided many experiences that our students will never forget- including the long drive and a night over in Wales.”
The proceeding semi-final against Outwood Academy Haydock was an incredibly tight encounter against tough opposition but tries from Oscar Fatah and Layton Pearce-Johnson earnt Archbishop Sentamu an 8-7 win and a place at the National Final on August 12, an achievement that Mr Abbott and his players are still pinching themselves over.
“What an unbelievable achievement for our Year 7 Boys to reach the Champion Schools Final at Wembley Stadium” he continued.
“A dramatic semi final against Outwood saw us come out on top by a solitary point, and all involved from Archbishop Sentamu will never forget the feeling at the final whistle when realisation struck that they had qualified to play on 'hallowed turf’.”
Bedford High School were the last team to qualify for this year’s Champion School Finals and their wonderful run in the competition has led the to an opportunity the side cannot wait for.
Coach, Rob Drinnan, explains:
"In their first season together as a team, this Year 7 squad have produced some outstanding Rugby League.”
Their road to Wembley began with a long trip to Cardiff to face Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf. The journey was well worth the effort it and the team pulled off a tight 10-6 win to make it a perfect start to their campaign.
Next up, was a trip to Yorkshire to play a school with one of the best finals records in Champion Schools history – Castleford Academy. The Leigh side took this game in their stride and went on to defeat Castleford 20-4 and book themselves a semi-final spot against St Peter’s Catholic High School.
As the semi-final loomed, there was plenty of nervousness in the air for Rob Drinnan’s team, but any nerves were left in the dressing room and Bedford pulled off a brilliant 28-18 win.
The Year 7 Boys Champion Schools Final takes place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 12 August, alongside the finals of both the Men’s and Women’s Challenge Cup and the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final. Tickets for Finals Day are selling fast, with prices starting from only £20 Adults and £10 Under 16s. Click here to purchase yours now.
