Leigh City TA Fly the Flag for Kent

For the first time ever a Kent School entered the Carnegie Champ School tournament this week and with only three weeks of training under their belts from the Kent Ravens, Leigh city Technology Academy’s year 8s and year 10s took the fight to the south London School at Storm Park

The year 8s first match against Harris, set the scene for they day. Nail biting! Leigh city got of to a dream start diving over in the corner for the first try of the tournament, however they missed the conversion and Harris were quick to respond. Final score a lose 6-4 in a close and exciting game, their first even in this code.

The squad then went on the defeat by eventual winners Carshalton, but the defeat taught the players well as they came back with words of wisdom from coaches Aiden Oakley, Matt Allen and Phil Thompson, Leigh were ready for their next match against Greenshaw. They had cracked it, after aggressive defence holding Greenshaw in their own twenty, 2nd row Michael.H managed to power his way over the line for the games first score. Greenshaw were quick to react and soon after the kick off were driving Leigh backwards, but after bravely defending on their own goal line for 5 tackles they managed to force a turn over and were in possession to clear their lines. The Game was sealed off when Leigh’s player of the tournament, hooker George.E managed to sneak over for a cheeky try from the scoot. Leigh held out for the rest of the game with their aggressive defence, led by George, who appeared to be at every play the ball applying the pressure. Leigh won 10-0.

The final game for Leigh was as nail biting as the first. After yet another aggressive start against St.Andrews they looked to be cruising to an easy win after going 6-0 up great hands in the backs from stand-off Sam.W and replacement prop Charlie.T sent electric winger Alex White sliding in at the corner. The nail biting begun, 10-0 up and St.Andrews made two clean brakes down the centre of the park to take the score to 10-12, and Leigh looked to have thrown it away. But to their credit they didn’t give up, the forwards got stuck in making the hard yards and with more fancy hand work chances went begging with dropped balls. Finally one stuck and sent winger, Stefan.R away stepping round defenders to score in the corner with Alex.W kicking the 2 points to give Leigh a well earned 16-12 victory.

The year 8 finished 3^rd in their group of 6 setting a tough task for the year 10s to beat, not flustered by this being their first ever match of Rugby league the older age group firstly held St. Josephs to a nil all draw in dreadful conditions, but then they turned on the style as they ran I four tries to nil again London nautical meaning the final match turned into a semi final but the conditioned worsened again and Leigh City TA were unlucky to give away to may unforced errors to a team from Rutlish School who had been playing League for many years. Meaning the Squad, on their first RL adventure finished second in their group just outside a place in the finals.

Ravens & Leigh City TA Coach Aiden Oakley's thoughts were that “the lads from both squads did tremendously well, they haven’t had a lot of time to learn the game but really got stuck in and played some of the best rugby seen all day” Coach Matt Allens post match talk said it all; “three weeks ago they had never played Rugby League but improved game after game today and played some fast flowing, fluent Rugby League.”.

If your interested in getting involved in Rugby League as the new summer season fast approaches please either call the Kent Ravens on 07707 852 952 or email us on alan@...