St Joseph's Rugby and Netball Tournament (From Penarth Times)

St Joseph's Rugby and Netball Tournament

THE 15th Annual St Joseph's Tournament, once again kindly sponsored by JM Textiles, took place on Saturday, May 17, with the indifferent weather posing a real threat to the event.

Miraculously, the torrential rain of later in the day held off just long enough for the youngsters to treat the enthusiastic and at times very vocal spectators to some superb entertainment.

Unfortunately, both Victoria and Evenlode were unable to participate due to post-SAT trips. St Peter's joined us for the first time and quickly showed that they meant business in both sports.

In the netball, there were very competitive matches on both courts, but St Joseph's were clearly much more skilful and competitive than their rivals.

This really is an exceptional team, with the spine of the side having been together for three years, reaching three successive Tournament finals and remaining unbeaten in all competitions for two years.

This confidence was apparent, as they scored 43 goals and conceded none in topping their group.

St Peter's by contrast, had to work hard to make the final, winning tough games against Cogan and St Joseph's B.

In the final itself, St Joseph's began with a flurry of goals, before St Peter's fought back to score two of their own.

The superior teamwork of St Joe's proved decisive in the end, however, and they ran out deserved winners.

In the rugby, St Peter's began confidently, with the first tackle of the tournament by their east Wales centre Joe Burns resulting in a try for his team.

Cogan competed well but were overcome by 35-0. In the other pool, Fairfield too tackled valiantly, but it was clear that Ysgol Pen y Garth had come to retain their title.

Lloyd Thomas was an influential playmaker for Ysgol, and converted all five of the tries by Cai Thomas, Rory Robinson, Gareth Davies, Joseff Swain and James Bloxham, for a final score of 40-0.

St Joe's conceded an early try to Jordan Fish of St Peter's which Lee Barry improved, and then dominated possession. Joe Granville-Morgan and Sam Smith carried the ball well and Vale players Gareth Mathias and Jack Byrne were constant threats, but possession was not converted into points, with the Rocks clinging on for a narrow victory.

The next match between Murch and Ysgol lived up to expectations. Murch were slick and polished, as befits their status as Welsh Champions, but were unable to overcome a very competitive Pen y Garth.

The turning point was undoubtedly a tackle by Lloyd Thomas. Murch were 7-0 ahead and seemed certain to score, but in the act of touching down, the Murch player was thumped about two yards back by Lloyd.

This heartened Ysgol and James Bloxham scored a try converted by Lloyd to draw the match.

St Joseph's used their possession against Cogan and ran out winners by 26-0 with Sam Smith adding three tries and three conversions to Jack Byrne's effort.

Murch needed to outscore Ysgol's tally of six tries in order to make the final, and they swept aside a brave Fairfield team by 56-0 with Gavin Cooper scoring a hat trick of tries and eight conversions for a personal tally of 31 points.

The final was tense, with both teams cancelling each other out, until a speculative kick ahead stood up for the Murch flyer, Smith, to score under the posts.

Gavin converted this for a 7-0 lead. St Peter's equalised through the classy Joe Burns with Lee Barry adding the extras.

The terrier-like defence of St Peter's harried Murch into untypical errors, and this proved critical with Tom Sunderland scoring the winning try after excellent defensive work from his team.

The presentations took place in the hall, with Elaine of JM Textiles substituting for Jane McLoughlin.

Each finalist was presented with a baseball cap, and were presented with individual trophies or medals by Rachel McGuinness, the Vale Dragon Sport co-ordinator, and former pupil Leon Andrews who had played for Cardiff against Bridgend the previous evening.

Lloyd Thomas was a popular choice as the Rugby Player of the Tournament, chosen by referees Steve Kavanagh and Gerard Fenlon. Claudia Westmacott deservedly carried off the Netball Award for the second time.

Thanks are due to JM Textiles and the many local businesses that support the Tournament, the staff and PTA of St Joseph's School, the rugby referees and the umpires from the Welsh Netball Association and the Head Teachers, staff and pupils of the competing schools.

Results

Netball Tournament

Pool A: St Peter's 2 Cogan 1; St Peter's 3 St Joseph's B 0; St Peter's 7 Fairfield 0; St Joseph's B 1 Fairfield 5; Cogan 0 Fairfield 7; St Joseph's B 0 Cogan 0. Pool B: St Andrew's 0 Sully 9; St Andrew's 0 St Joseph's A 14; St Andrew's 1 Albert 2; St Joseph's A 13 Albert 0; Sully 3 Albert 2; St Joseph's A 16 Sully 0. Final: St Joseph's A 17 St Peter's 2. Player of the tournament: Claudia Westmacott

Rugby Tournament

Pool A: St Peter's 35 Cogan 0; St Peter's 7 St Joseph's 0; St Joseph's 26 Cogan 0. Pool B: Ysgol Pen y Garth 40 Fairfield 0; Ysgol Pen y Garth 7 Murch 7; Murch 56 Fairfield 0. Final: St Peter's 12 Murch 7.