A young West Cumbrian rugby league team have been producing some outstanding performances over the last few years.
Now it has been capped by success in a national final as the youngsters have shown their full potential.
St Benedict’s year 11 rugby squad have been on quite a journey in their time at the Whitehaven school, joining five years ago during the Covid pandemic.
Over the next four years and many hours on the training field, the squad have continually developed and have taken the county title for the past four years in a row at years 8, 9, 10 and 11.
They also added to that a single stint in the rugby union county cup and won that too at the first time of asking in year 10.
They are unbeaten within the county at both codes in their time at the school which is some achievement but the national competition in years 8, 9 and 10 proved to be a very steep learning curve.
They reached the quarter final stage on three occasions only to fall to the stronger side on the day.
On each occasion, Wigan’s Standish High School went on to win the national title themselves having defeated Bennies.
Into their final year the squad started off by winning against all local opposition in the regional area to progress as Cumbria seed 1 into the national competition as well as into the county final.
Dowdales School were the opponents at the Recreation Ground in the county final and the Bennies lads didn’t disappoint making it four from four inside their own county with a convincing victory by over 40 points to claim the title as Cumbria’s best.
A week later, they hosted the highly fancied St Mary’ School of Leigh -who had knocked out the team who had beaten Bennies in the previous three years.
In a very closely fought match the young Cumbrians triumphed 18-16 with a show of defensive force to keep a strong opponent at bay.
Next was a very tough draw on paper away from home at Freeston High School of Normanton in Yorkshire in the semi-final.
Freeston boasted a side who had multiple scholarship players and have an excellent record in the national and Yorkshire competitions each year.
But St Benedict’s boys blew away the opposition, dominating in attack and defence and won the semi-final by 30-10 in what was one of the most dominant displays by a Bennies side at that stage of a national cup in the history of the school.
The final was played at the DIY stadium, Wakefield and it proved a memorable day for the school.
The day had started with a shirt presentation from ex-pupil, and current Whitehaven player Jordan Burns who went into the School in the morning to present each player with their playing jersey.
He also offered words of encouragement to the squad about his own previous experiences both as a school’s national finalist runner up (twice) and as a professional player.
The year 11 lads particularly enjoyed the pep talk from a well-respected member of the local rugby community.
They faced Bridgewater and from the start St Benedict’s looked like a team who fancied their chances. The game plan was to minimise mistakes, wear down the opposition down the middle and kick for field position.
This plan paid off very early on as prop Dean Pattinson opened the scoring, driving over with a typical prop forwards run. Tyce Walmsley converted for an early 6-0 lead.
The intensity in defence was excellent and in possession only minutes later captain and loose forward Walmsley drove over from short range and converted his own try to make it a dream start!
The game ebbed and flowed and only a crucial try saving tackle by full back Rhys Williamson prevented Bridgewater getting back into the game. The pressure though from the past national finalists grew as the half wore on and a neat kick and catch made it 12-4.
This pressure only intensified and late on into the first half Bridgewater moved the ball out wide and scored a well worked unconverted try to leave it 12-8 to St Benedict’s at the half time break.
A stern yet tactical team talk from coach Paul Farrell, supported by former St Benedict’s pupil and professional Kyle Amor saw the lads receptive to the second half plan.
The game was played in extremely high intensity with both sides having chances to score. Defences were on top and the level of rugby was outstanding. It was Bridgewater who scored next to tie the game at 12-12 after an unconverted try with only minutes remaining for a full time score of 12-12.
The game went into extra time golden point! St Benedict’s won the toss and kicked to Bridgewater who made a mistake on the first play. St Benedict’s in possession took three drives, held their breath, fed the ball out to captain Walmsley who coolly kicked a drop goal to win the match.
