Year 9 Rugby Champions

Congratulations to the Chew Valley School year 9 rugby team who were crowned BANES champions after beating St. Gregs 21-14 in an epic final which resulted in the game being won in extra-time!  The game – which was held at Stotherton Pitt – was played with high levels of commitment in both defence and attack, with both sides wanting to play a wide and expansive game.  Chew Valley took early control of the game and nearly took an early lead only for Joe Martin’s try to be disallowed by a forward pass.  St. Gregs took advantage shortly after by scoring two well worked tries, both of which were created by some hard running by their outside half who also converted both kicks.   St. Gregs were the stronger team in the first half but Chew Valley nearly reduced the gap just before half time only for Lewis Cook to put a foot out just before scoring in the corner, meaning that Chew Valley went into the break 14 points down.  However, Chew Valley took advantage of the slope early on by pressurising St.Gregs’ backline into making a mistake, forcing a knock on which allowed Miles Moorhouse to run under the posts and score, which he also converted. 

The game was evenly matched for the next 20 minutes with both teams defending superbly – especially Henry Harper, Luke Treneman and Jake Rogers for Chew Valley – until déjà vu hit again as St.Gregs made a mistake through pressure from Georgle Worle which allowed Connor Kendall to run three quarters of the pitch and score under the posts, which Miles Moorhouse once again converted.  The game therefore was tied at 14-14 with  less than 5 minutes to go, and when St.Gregs infringed at the ruck area it looked like Chew Valley were going to complete an amazing comeback.  However, the penalty was pushed just wide and the game was taken into extra-time.  The first half saw Chew Valley once again take advantage of the slope as Connor Kendall scored his second try through breaking through a tackle and scoring under the posts, which Miles once again converted.  The next 14 minutes saw Chew Valley defend with such players as Sam Snook, Jovi Belcher, Alex Hodson, James Tattersal, Ben Jones and Adrian Davies making some outstanding tackles to prevent St. Greggs from scoring.  Super subs Rory Ellis and Harry Browning also made a fantastic impact coming off the bench to give the team that extra bit of energy which allowed the team to make a famous victory.  A superb win from the year 9 boys who thoroughly deserved the win and who also demonstrated fantastic attitude and sportsmanship throughout the day.