Year 10 Boys North East Regional Champions!

On Tuesday 25th January Astley Community High School Year 10 boys became rugby league North East Regional Champions. The tournament was rescheduled after Storm Arwen hit and the original date at Kingston Park had to be cancelled. The Year 10 boys qualified for the regional finals after winning the local league which included Whitley Bay High, Queen Elizabeth of Hexham, Churchill Community College and Ponteland High School. 

Astley started the tournament with a game against a strong Whitburn side. Astley took control right from the start and raced into a 16-0 lead at half time. This was followed up with another 3 tries in the second half to take the score to 28-0 before Whitburn scored a consolation try making it 28-6 at full time to Astley CHS. 

The win over Whitburn secured Astley a place in the national round, however, their next fixture was against another traditionally strong rugby playing school, Egglescliffe School. Astley had to win this to claim the overall trophy and go into the national round as the North East number 1 seed. 

After a long break due to other fixtures, it was Astley who had to start strong again, and they did. They raced into a three try lead and never looked back. The final score 20-0 to Astley. This win put Astley through as number one seed. 

The Astley CHS team now await the results from the Yorkshire round, where we will have a home tie against the 3rd seed from Yorkshire. 

Joe M, Team Captain said: “I’m really proud that we’ve qualified for nationals for the first time in about 8 years and also combined players from Seaton Sluice Middle School and Whytrig Middle School into the Astley Community High School team. When I was a pupil at WMS we didn’t get to nationals but SSMS did, so now at the high school we have been able to combine players from both teams together in one team and accomplish winning the regionals to now go through to nationals.”

Mr Carbutt, SPL and Rugby Coach said: "I am unbelievably proud of the group of students. The boys are a credit to everyone associated with them and have been a pleasure to work with. It has been about 8 years since an Astley High boys’ team has won the regional festival and we have finally got over the line in a regional final after so many near misses at this round. It is well known across the Seaton Valley how fabulous our girls’ teams have been over the years, but it is now right that we finally have a boys’ team that can say, “we did it too!” I have said to the boys they now have bragging rights over the girls for a couple of weeks and they will go down in Astley High School sporting folklore! I would also like to place on record my thanks to our fantastic middle school staff who helped the players to develop over the years as well. Well done lads! Well done! 

Mr Gilhooley, SPL commented: "Becoming North East Champions is an amazing achievement for all involved. I am immensely proud of all of the boys and Mr Carbutt and I wish them every success in the nationals."

Mr Scott, Head of School added: "After a long wait, the status of becoming year 10 boys’ regional winners has been achieved. It was absolutely fantastic to see all of the boys receive their medals in assembly this morning and we are all extremely proud of their efforts. Keep up the great work and we look forward to hopefully celebrating further success in the National Finals."