YEAR 9 RUGBY- 23rd January

CHS Continue to Dominate in Rugby

Last Thursday the year 9 rugby team battled it with St.Annes School from Stockport.

Congleton won 59-0!! What a great first game! The team worked well together and everyone contributed to scoring the tries. There were some fantastic running from Jonnie and Will. Jake Safaan was always there ready to intercept the ball and move it on towards the try line. This turned out to be an exemplary game and a good practise run for future games against more experienced teams. Thank you for the support from Mr Cross and Mr De Souza. The entire team are looking forward to the next competitive game.

A huge well done to the whole team : Jonnie Adderly, Jake Rowley, Alfie, Will Banks, Tom, Jake Safaan, Ramtin Musah, Nathan Beard, Harry Picken, Lewis Bent, Bailey Hopkins, Max Hill, Sam Cosgrove and James Goodwin (man of the match). 

Try Scorers:

Alfie 3
Jake R 2
Will
Brad
Tomasz
Harry            

Written by Man of the Match, James Goodwin

BASKETBALL- BBL Final and South Cheshire Champions

It Is All About Basketball

Just two days after watching Leicester Riders retain the BBL title CHS’ basketball team were crowned South Cheshire Champions.
 

On Sunday 12^th January, 20 students and staff travelled to the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham to join a crowd of 9,000 to watch the BBL Cup Final for the 2^nd successive year. Leicester Riders were looking to retain the cup they won last year, but they went into the final 6 minutes trailing by 11 points. However, with the help of Newcastle scoring the fewest points in the fourth quarter of a BBL Cup match, the Rider overturned the deficit to win 72:69.
 

The CHS contingency were split with some spurring on the Eagles, some the Riders and some in a neutral perspective.

 

Matty Jones, who attended the event, writes “Another Year of Despair, after losing out on the BBL cup in last year’s final, by a narrow margin, I thought 2014 would be Newcastle Eagles year. All they had to do was beat last year’s final opponents the Leicester Riders at the NIC in Birmingham. We started brightly showing signs of a great if not world class basketball team. Smith our veteran was shooting for fun, having a field day against the Riders defence he ended up recording an impressive 27 points. As the game established our lead grew to double figures going into the final six minutes. Surely the cup was going home with the Eagles? But no. The crowd rallied the Riders up as they started to hit some big baskets, and a controversial decision did give them help as Eagles form man, Gaues was wrongly fouled out of the game. With the backing of the majority of the 9,000 fans in the crowd and the outstanding performance from Great Britain captain and MVP winner; Sullivan, Riders dragged themselves to a 72-69 victory. The crowd were in a state of excitement when I was left once again with my head in my hands. Eagles left Birmingham without a trophy for the second year running. However there is always next year”.
 

On Tuesday 14^th January, CHS travelled to the South Cheshire Basketball Championships at Brine Lees High School still with the buzz of watching an enthralling final, two days before. The CHS squad seemed to have picked up a few tips and tricks from the professionals with all the players doing their bit in a strong performance for CHS throughout the competition. This consistency prevailed with CHS crowned South Cheshire Champions much to the delight of coach and principal, Mr Hermitt.
 

Written by Adam Bailey

 

 

MR CROSS LIVE ON BBC BREAKFAST- SHOULD SPORT ALL BE ABOUT WINNING?

Mr Cross Talks about ‘Should Sport Be All About Winning’ Live on BBC Breakfast
 

There was a real buzz around Congleton High School this morning when Mr Cross, Head of Boys PE at CHS, was interviewed live on BBC Breakfast.

His appearance, on the famous red sofa, comes after a rugby festival for junior teams in Surrey has told local clubs that there will be no winners and teams will be matched to ensure they are of equal ability. It follows new national rules for youngsters, aimed at increasing the numbers playing rugby. He gave his view on ‘is sport all about winning or is it the taking part that counts’.

Rugby at CHS is taken very seriously which has resulted in a lot of success over the last few years. Mr Cross is an experienced rugby coach, coaching at Barnage Rugby Club, and has masterminded a number of empathic victories this season’

He said live on Breakfast that “competition is in the nature of children” and it is important that children learn to “strive to win” as well as “learn to lose with dignity”, which is expressed in CHS’ school motto ‘Achieving Success Together’. Mr Cross added that this would foster “resilience something we want our children and the next generation to have”.

Answering a question from presenter, Louise Minchin about the same people always getting picked in school teams he replied that “the nature of sport is elitist” and it is about “resilience and developing their skill base” to then try and get into the team, something which he says is seen throughout Congleton High School.

If you didn’t see it or want to see again Mr Cross’ cameo on BBC Breakfast this morning then here is the link.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01qmgzn

And don’t forget to ask him for his autograph!

Written by Adam Bailey

FOOTBALL- ESFA CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW

Who will the Under-15 Girls Face in the Semi-Final?

For those of you following the under-15 girls outstanding cup run, who are vying to win two prestigious national trophies in the space of a year, then here is who is going to stand in their way of reaching the final of the ESFA Cup.

St Bede’s RC High School from Blackburn or Idsall School from Telford

Both teams have been performing very well with St. Bede’s scoring 49 goals so far in the competition including 14-0, 13-1 and 10-0 wins. Idsall started the competition strongly scoring 20 goals in their first 3 games but have recorded just single goal wins in their last two games. Either team will see CHS face their toughest task yet  in this competition but CHS will have to wait until 4^th February to see who their will face in the semi-finals.

However, I am sure the PE department will be pleased to see CHS having a home tie in the semi-final as home advantage is always good especially in a cup competition and if the school can get behind the girls like they have from the start then CHS will be in with a good chance.

Written by Adam Bailey

UNDER-15 GIRLS ESFA QUARTER FINAL- 23rd January

Only One Step Away!

Since becoming Premier League champions at Anfield last May the under 15 girls have been thriving. They have appeared on MOTD kickabout, watched England at Wembley, paraded their trophy at the Britannia Stadium and now are just one step away from reaching another national final.

CHS started the game against St. John’s High School, from Bishops Auckland, slowly but looked the more likely to score with CHS’ defence not having much to do throughout the first half. The first real chance fell to Lucy Wright inside 10 minutes when a long ball from CHS goalkeeper, Lydia Bennet found Hollie Massey who played it into the feet of Amy Rodgers before she played through Lucy Wright. Wright pulled her shot two feet wide of the St John goal.

CHS broke the deadlock after 20 minutes when St John’s goal kick fell to captain Hollie Massey on the halfway line and after looking up to see the goalkeeper off her line, her stunning 50-yard strike looped over the goalkeeper, whose hands could not prevent CHS from taking the lead. 1-0 CHS. A magnificent goal from a magnificent player gave CHS a one goal led at half-time.

The second half was hampered by bad weather which saw the girls battle every type of element from hail to wind to sun to rain and the final half didn’t really start to the final few minutes of the match other than Lucy Wright going one-on-one with the goalkeeper but the keeper stayed strong and palmed the ball away.

CHS pressed in the final few minutes to try and seal their victory and a place in the semi-finals when Lucy Wright had a chance from close range but the ball bounced off her knee just wide. Amy Rodger’s shot from outside the box needed the St John’s goalkeepers fully stretched hands to push it around the post.

However, CHS survived a few nerve racking moments in the final minutes with them struggling to clear the ball from a very crowded penalty-area and with that many people in the box there is a risk that a deflection could have put the game into extra time. CHS managed to hold onto their one goal lead and progress through to the semi-finals.

Every player gave their all and you cannot deny their effort and although it wasn’t the most convincing performance from CHS they did the job that had to be done. Well done girls.

CHS now have to wait to see who they will face in the semi-finals.

Written by Adam Bailey. Photo’s Courtesy of Nathan Stirk Photography

UNDER-15 GIRLS ESFA QUARTER FINAL PREVIEW

Preview: Under 15 Girls Prepare for Quarter-Final Task

Tomorrow sees the under-15 girls take on St. John’s High School from Bishop Auckland in the quarter-finals of the ESFA Cup. The girls will go into the game full of confidence following outstanding performances throughout the competition scoring 24 goals, conceding just 6 with their stand out performance being a 10-0 victory v Urmston Grammar in round 3.

St John’s School haven’t had an easy route to the quarter-finals with them only getting past round 2 via a computer picking them as winners following their game not being played. They then recorded a less than comfortable 1-0 victory in round 3 before needing penalties to advance to round 5. In their last match they showed why they deserve to be in the quarter-finals following a convincing 7-1 win in the last round.

Following a pitch inspection this morning the pitches at CHS were deemed unplayable as a result the match will now be played at Sandbach United on their 3G with kick off at 1pm. CHS have already played on a 3G pitch in this competition which saw them triumph 4-2 so the 3G pitch shouldn’t cause CHS a problem.

Everton midfielder Amy Rodger’s has scored 6 goals in her last 3 games in this competition and Manchester United and England midfielder, Hollie Massey has scored 3 goals in her last 2 games but if the girls are going to go within one step of the final then, like in previous rounds, the whole team are going to have to contribute and play like they have been throughout this season.

There will be a full match report plus reaction tomorrow so let’s hope it will be the right result and we wish the girls all the best.

Written by Adam Bailey

ESFA CUP LAST 16- 16th January

Only a Few Steps Away!

After the under 15 boys were knocked out of the cup last week, the under 15 girls are now CHS’ last national cup hope. The Premier League Champions travelled to the East Riding to take on South Hunsley High School in the last 16 of the competition on Thursday. South Hunsley have scored 13 goals and conceded just 1 so far in this prestigious school cup. CHS on the other hand have scored 21 goals, conceding 5. One thing’s for sure it was going to be an enthralling match.

It was always going to be close but it was CHS, who have been scoring for fun in the competition, who went into half-time with a slight advantage over South Hunsley, who had one of the best defensive records in the competition. CHS led 2-1 at halftime thanks to goals from Amy Rodgers and Hollie Massey.
Poppy Jones then sealed a comfortable victory for CHS in the 2^nd half and another good performance from the under 15 girls. Final Score 3-1 CHS.

Only St John’s School from Bishop Auckland stands in CHS’ way of being one step away from playing at the Ricoh Arena (the former home of Coventry City FC) but CHS have home advantage with the quarter-final fixture to be played at CHS this Thursday (23^rd) at 1pm.

The whole school are behind them and we wish them all the best!

Written by Adam Bailey

CHESHIRE CUP- 8th January

Under 14 Girls Emphatically Beat Cup Holders in Cheshire Cup

This week the focus has been on the national football cup but an emphatic win for the under 14 girls in the Cheshire Cup cannot go a miss. Like the under 15 girls (who play in the ESFA Cup later this week) the under 14 girls have been scoring for fun winning 8-0 in the first round.

However, the girls faced a tough tie against the holders, Lymm High School but the girls made it look easy with CHS emerging 11-1 victors to secure their place in the quarter-final.

Whoever, CHS draw in the next round are going to be quaking in their boots with CHS scoring 19 goals in just two games so far in the competition.

Written by Adam Bailey  

 

ESFA CUP- LAST 32

Year 10 Cup Misery

Photo: Reece Carbutt scores a consolation from an acute angle. Courtesy of Nathan Stirk Photography.

After the excitement of the FA Cup third round over the weekend the ‘cup fever’ also hit Congleton High School tonight (Tuesday 7^th January) as year 10 hosted Range High School from Sefton in the last 32 of the ESFA Cup (schools’ version of the FA Cup).

You only had to look on the field to see the importance of the match with Principal Mr Hermitt, Mr Barlow and Mr Warren along with other staff, friends and family all braving the elements to see if CHS could reach the last 16 in the country.

The weather has caused sporting havoc over recent weeks but CHS weren’t going to be any pushovers and were raring to go, battling through the elements in their match. By the end of the match the pitch looked like the Baseball Ground from the 1970s.

The weather definitely played its part in the match and Range went into half-time with a 2-0 lead with the majority of the first half played in rain.

It was nearly 3-0, 5 minutes after half-time, but Jack Duckworth’s hand tipped the ball over the cross-bar from a powerful strike. Range had the majority of chances in the opening 10 minutes of the second half although CHS did begin to threaten with Reece Carbutt’s through ball splitting the Range defence and Conor Docherty nearly adding his 7^th goal of the competition but the Range keeper stood strong and Docherty’s strike was denied by the keeper’s knees.  Reece Carbutt had a chance to pull one back minutes after but his shot was padded behind by the keeper at the near post.

It was soon 2-1 following a long ball from CHS’ defence. Reece Carbutt gave chase and beat Range’s defender and goalkeeper to the ball on the edge of the box. He then coolly slotted the ball into the far bottom corner from an acute angle which gave CHS the belief they could go onto win the game.

The confidence was shown in their play and saw CHS winning most of the 50/50 challenges. However, their belief soon declined after Range restored their two goal lead. From a corner a Range player escaped his marker and made CHS pay with a solid header which Jake Duckworth couldn’t get to. Range added a fourth late on after CHS’ defence split allowing Range’s right winger space before putting the ball beyond Jake Duckworth. The final score was 4-1 which sees CHS out of the cup.

There is no doubt year 10 would have loved to reach the last 16 but to be in the last 32 in the country is an outstanding achievement and the boys along with Mr Donnelly should be very proud. Despite the result they can take a lot of positives from tonight’s match.

CHS’ only remaining cup hope now is the under 15 girls who travel to East Riding to play South Hunsley High School in the last 16 of the competition later this week.

Written by Adam Bailey