Rydal Penrhos could not be prouder of its young sportspeople, who have rounded off Lent Term in fine fashion across a number of disciplines.
Whether it was Rugby, Netball, Swimming or Skiing, Rydal Penrhos pupils continued to give their all and have immense fun doing so as they competed in a range of inter-school and inter-house events, from well-renowned national Rugby Sevens competitions to fiercely contested races in the school’s on-site swimming pool.
Rugby
Rosslyn Park Tournament
After a brilliant and busy term of rugby fixtures, our senior sevens team were excited to be heading to the biggest sevens tournament in the world; Rosslyn Park Sevens.
Unfortunately, not all results went the team’s way but the results below speak to some competitive and close encounters.
- Rydal Penrhos 14-24 The College of Richard Collyer (L)
- Rydal Penrhos 7-19 The Kings School, Macclesfield (L)
- Rydal Penrhos 19-12 Trinity School, Sevenoaks (W)
Showing superb heart and grit throughout the day, the team’s relentless spirit paid off as they won their final game of the tournament 19-12 against Trinity School, Sevenoaks. In doing so, Rydal Penrhos secured third place in their group.
Credit must go to Josh Stewart and Zach Roberts for leading the team superbly throughout the day. Well done to our Year 11s Ethan Akoryd, Theo Chapman and Mathew Johnson for stepping up to play U18s.
Unfortunately for our Year 13s this was the last time playing Sevens for Rydal Penrhos School. A huge well done to all Year 13s who have represented school with pride, passion and determination throughout the year, namely; James Copeland, Josh Stewart, Osca Clarke, Chay Bonnington, Adam McGuigan and Jacob Cousins.
U9 Tournament
The U9 team took part in a competition dubbed a ‘Festival of Rugby’ on Tuesday 28 March. Rydal Penrhos’ play certainly lived up to that billing as the team produced a clinic sweeping all five games against some tough competition. The full results were:
- Rydal Penrhos 4-1 Highfield Priory ‘B’
- Rydal Penrhos 6-2 Greenbank School
- Rydal Penrhos 8-5 Highfield Priory ‘A’
- Rydal Penrhos 2-1 Scarisbrick Hall
- Rydal Penrhos 5-4 Scarisbrick Hall (10-a-side game)
Pupils did the school incredibly proud and were rewarded for their fine efforts with a presentation of certificates at Friday morning’s Celebration Assembly.
With such a high level of skill and talent shown by a team that is still so young, we can expect that many players from our U9 team will take their turn to don the Rydal Penrhos colours at Rosslyn Park sometime in the next decade!
Inter-House Mixed Touch Rugby
Great house spirit was shown as Year 7 and 8 boys and girls from Osborn, Wesley, Payne and Morgan faced off in a fun afternoon of mixed touch rugby on Monday 27 March. The level of skill was high and players quickly adapted to playing with a different set of teammates.
Osborn proved triumphant, with Wesley a close second ahead of Payne and wooden-spoon winners Morgan.
Hockey
Birkenhead School (Away)
On Friday 25 March, Rydal Penrhos U13 boys hockey teams travelled to Birkenhead School to test their progress over the hockey season so far.
Facing strong opposition, Rydal Penrhos’ A Team drew a tight game one goal a piece. The B Team took part in a much more high scoring encounter, narrowly losing out 4-5 in a nine goal thriller.
Coach Mr Rippon praised the teams for their promising performances. Although they did not pick up a win this time, the potential for improvement is clear and they played with a real enthusiasm befitting the gloriously sunny day, which will stand them in good stead moving forward.
Well done to both teams!
Raphael’s North Wales Call-Up
Talented Year 8 hockey player Raphael Eyre’s hard work and continual improvement has been recognised as he has secured a call-up to represent North Wales U13 Boys Hockey team at a major tournament in Nottingham.
Raphael has been a key contributor to Bangor City Hockey’s age group teams, and becomes one of nine players from the U13 cohort to acheive this presitgious cap. Rydal Penrhos does all it can to support the sporting pursuits of its pupils, whether that means wearing the school’s colours or forging a name for themselves in their individual endeavours.
We couldn’t be prouder of Raphael. Brilliantly done!
Netball
U11 High Five Tournament
On Thursday 30 March, Rydal Penrhos’ U11 team travelled to Hulme Hall Grammar School for a mixed High Five netball tournament.
Pupils had fun and played with energy and spirit as they proudly represented Rydal Penrhos.
A perfect day of play to celebrate the end of term. Congratulations team!
Swimming
Prep Inter-House Swimming
Swimming is a prominent part of the curriculum at Rydal Penrhos, with pupils as young as two years old taking to our school swimming pool every week to develop their water confidence and swimming skills.
The Prep Inter-House swimming competition was a closely fought event with plenty of noise bouncing around the pool as pupils cheered on from the side-lines and parents showed their support from the viewing gallery.
Snowdon House eventually emerged victorious. Their House Captains, Archie and Beatrice, received the Swimming Cup in Celebration Assembly on Friday 31 March.
What an impressive event. Well done to all involved!
Skiing
Prep Inter-House Ski Competition
Skiing is a historically important sport at Rydal Penrhos, with international ski trips stretching back several decades into the school’s history. This year, the school has thoroughly anticipated trips to both Italy and New Hampshire; the latter is set to take place over the Easter holiday.
In the Prep, over 70 pupils ski on a weekly basis as part of the school’s extra-curricular provision. This week saw the culmination of all that practice with pupils giving their all in the Inter-House Skiing Competition.
This was won by Pembroke, with the older pupils edging them forwards after the younger year groups had managed a three-way tie. The Pembroke House Captains, Connie and Oscar, accepted the Ski Cup in Celebration Assembly on Friday 31 March.
Congratulations to our talented skiers from all school houses!
Football
Senior Team vs Ysgol Eirias
Rydal Penrhos’ first-string football side travelled to Ysgol Eirias to take on their local neighbours.
The team were unlucky to lose out 1-4 after keeping the game at a 1-1 deadlock heading into half-time. From their previous games, the boys showed real signs of progress coupled with a consistently excellent work ethic and positive attitude, right through to the final whistle.
Well done to all involved, with particular credit going to Theo for his well-taken goal.
U11 Girls at Manchester City Academy
Rydal Penrhos newly-formed U11 girls football team, who made their debut only a few weeks ago, travelled to Manchester City Academy to take part in a tournament at the club’s training facilities.
The team built on the promise of their debut and recorded a memorable win as they played out the three games of the opening round. Unfortunately, the team were knocked out at the next stage after suffering a narrow 0-1 defeat.
On Thursday 16 March, our promising U10 football team travelled the ISA regional U10 tournament at The Grange School near Northwich. Excitement was in the air as our young athletes took to the field, determined to prove themselves against their opponents.
Throughout the day, our U10 team played a total of five games, displaying their skills and tenacity on the pitch. With each passing match, their confidence grew and their determination to win intensified. Their hard work and dedication paid off as they secured a well-deserved spot in the plate competition final.
Although our U10 team fought valiantly in the final, it was King’s Chester who emerged victorious, winning by a narrow margin of 2-1. Nonetheless, our team can hold their heads high and be proud of their incredible achievement.
We would like to extend our congratulations to every member of the U10 football team for their hard work and dedication, and also acknowledge the exceptional coaching from Mr McLeod, who has been instrumental in the team’s success.
Well done to all!
