The highly anticipated Carnegie Champion Schools Competition got underway in North London yesterday, with the Year 7 teams battling it out for the chance to represent North London in the regional quarter finals.
With the competition beginning so early in the school year and some late withdrawals from a few schools, the tournament was rapidly adjusted to form a competitive fixture between two sides from the 32 players that Aylward Academy in Enfield brought to the event.
The day kicked off with both teams being treated to some technical coaching and a match preparation session from Skolars RL Community Coaches Neil Thorman and Matt Cuss, before the two sides were kitted out, one in the familiar red and green of the Skolars and the other in the Aylward Academy black and yellow.
Given the relative inexperience of both sets of boys, the game started at a furious pace, with the ball being turned over frequently. However, this did give both teams a chance to make some early yardage with the ball in hand and also for a number of standout players to administer some punishing defensive efforts.
The game highlights included some outstanding dummy half play by Nathan Brooks and Dante King, whilst Bilsham Kokoo and Sokol Rexhaj showed that they had pace and power to cross for a 2 tries each. The fixture ended in a very fair 18-18 draw and all the boys involved managed to get some well needed game time and a chance to impress their teachers, in what effectively became a trial for team selection for the next round of the competition.
Some of the standout individuals were invited back by the Skolars Community Department to the forthcoming trial sessions for the U12’s Skolars team who will compete in the Liontrust London Mini, Junior and Youth League over the summer months. These will take place on Tuesday 30th October and Thursday 1st November over half term.
London Skolars Community Rugby League Coach, Matt Cuss, said: “Given the inexperience of the lads that competed today, the standard was very high and it’s pleasing to see that the quality of rugby league in the region is growing at an even younger age. We hope to see many of these boys, turning out for our Mini and Junior sections at the Skolars over the next few months.”
