Castleford Academy 16-4 St Peter’s Orrell
Castleford Academy made it back-to-back Wembley wins as they claimed the Year 7 Boys Champion Schools national title at Wembley on Saturday, August 26, 2017.
The school hold the title of the most appearances by any Rugby League team at the new Wembley, but were made to work for their title, which was played as the curtain-raiser to Hull FC’s triumph over Wigan Warriors in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Final.
Strong defence was on display by both sides in the early stages, with Cas soaking up a mountain of pressure, which included forcing St Peter’s captain Joe Baldwin out of play after a superb break down the left-hand side.
And it was Castleford who got over the line first with their captain, Noah Booth, breaking through the opposition’s defence and reaching out to place the ball under the sticks.
He then converted his own try to make it 6-0 to the Academy.
But St Peter’s responded quickly; after a tremendous run and offload from Reece Kearsley, the Wigan side were tackled inches from the line, only for Haaris Brown to dive in at the corner.
The difficult conversion was missed, leaving the score at 6-4 to Castleford Academy.
The Castleford side had a try disallowed late on in the second half and, despite some late pressure from St Peter’s, the score remained 6-4 at half time.
After St Peter’s saw a try chalked off early in the second period, Cas notched the next score as their number 13, Tyler Czmeiduch, barged through the St Peter’s defence to extend his side’s lead.
The conversion was missed, leaving the score at 10-4 to Castleford Academy.
Then Castleford’s Czmeiduch scored almost an identical try just moments later – this time followed by a successful conversion by Booth to make it 16-4.
Castleford managed to see out the game and with no more points scored – the Castleford Academy were crowned year 7 champions with a well deserved 16-4 win at Wembley stadium.
Their number six, Noah Booth, received the Chev Walker Medal for Man of the Match, shared with St Peter’s number one, Joe Winstanley, after outstanding performances from both players.
Joint Man of the Match: Noah Booth (Castleford Academy), Joe Winstanley (St Peter’s Orrell).
By Daniel Richardson