Rugby Report 
The year 7's took on the year 8's a few days ago in a rematch of the game played earlier in the school year which the year 8's won 25 - 20.
With both teams having claimed the Burnley Schools title, the game had potential to be well contested by either team. However, with only nine year 8's, the year 7's held the numerical advantage. They had a full 15 but, influential forwards, Danyal Mahmood and Oliver Walsh had to withdraw due to sickness leaving them with 13.
For nearly 15 minutes of the first half the score remained 0 - 0. Solid defenses on both sides denied the attacking team each time until the year 7's applied continuous pressure and secured a penalty five metres from the try line. Josef Whitlam, who played very intelligent rugby throughout, stole possession and made tackles around the ruck. He finally managed to storm over for the first score. Luke Westall added two points with the conversion, 7 - 0 to year 7's.
Australian winger Max Cudworth danced through the defense soon after with Luke Westall, adding the conversion for another two points from a difficult angle. 14 - 0 to the year 7's.
The hard working year 8's rallied and hit back with a good scrum. New scrum half, Rowan Greenwood, passed the ball to their two deadly backs. Will Berry (who scores four times in their last meeting) and Tom Lancaster, who used his blinding pace to good effect, scored under the posts. Rowan fluffed the conversion, so the score at the end of the first half was 14 - 5 to year 7.
The second half began where the first left off. Will Berry broke free of the year 7 defense to score with Tom Lancaster doing the same. Rowan suffered more agony with the kicks, hitting the crossbar with one but missing the target. 14 - 15 to the year 8's. They led the game for the first time!
With 10 minutes remaining the game began to wear down the year 8's. With 7 players missing, the physical effort of keeping the year 7's at bay took its toll, with players becoming fatigued and making errors. Will was sin binned for a late tackle on Ben Larnach, which the year 7's took full advantage of to score another try, again converted by Luke Westall to make it 21 - 15. Brody Slater was then sin binned for unsporting behaviour which made the final minutes difficult ones for the year 8's.
After a close call and some desperate tackling by Sam Wallwork, Owen Ellis and the rest of the year 7's, they managed to kick the ball out of play for the final whistle to signal the end of the contest.
Final score 21 - 15 to the year 7's.
There will be another fixture between these two teams on Tuesday 1st April after school. The year 8's have a point to prove whilst the year 7's are looking to cement their win. Well done teams!
Special thanks go to Dominic Blythell who came down from Burnley Rugby Club to help coach the year 7 team. More coaches will be down for next weeks game.
Mr Williams