Wigan & Leigh School finals
Wigan Warriors recently hosted Wigan & Leigh School finals at Robin Park Arena across two dates.
Year 7 & Year 9 Finals
On Thursday 4th November, St Peter’s and Standish contested a very close and tense year 7 final, which resulted in St Peter’s scoring a last-minute try to take the spoils. This was followed by St Peter’s and St John Fisher battling it out for the year 9 trophy. St Peter’s proved too strong on the night and despite a valiant effort from St John Fisher, it was St Peter’s who finished as convincing winners.
Year 8 & Year 10 Finals
The other two finals took place on Tuesday 9th November. In the year 8 final, the game was perfectly poised between St John Fisher and Standish, after a real end-to-end first half. However, Standish started much brighter in the second half and were able to run in several well-worked tries to be crowned deserving winners. The final game was the eagerly anticipated year 10 final between St John Fisher and St Peter’s. St John Fisher produced a clinical performance on the night and were simply too good, taking a thoroughly deserved victory.
All teams involved in the finals will now go on to represent Wigan and Leigh in the North West Counties competition and will hope to progress to the National stages.
Neil Ashton of Wigan & Leigh schools said: “It was fantastic to see the culmination of the Wigan & Leigh Champion Schools Competition, over two evenings at Robin Park Arena, after an enforced two-year break. Those lucky enough to be in attendance were treated to some scintillating rugby and it was clear to see that none of the skill, commitment, and passion for school’s rugby has been lost.
“We would like to thank Wigan Warriors and the Community Foundation for helping to organise these finals and allowing the games to be played at Robin Park. We are always delighted to be able to use this prestigious venue. Special thanks go to Joe Shorrocks, Ollie Partington, Sean O’Loughlin, and Matt Peet for giving up their time to present the medals and trophies – it sends such a reassuring message to know that Wigan Warriors, supports and recognises the value of schools rugby.”
Danny Fullerton, Rugby Development Manager at Wigan Warriors Community Foundation said: “Wigan Warriors Community Foundation is heavily invested in school rugby and supporting all playing opportunities. Working in partnership with Wigan and Leigh schools hosting the finals at Robin Park Arena has been a huge success with some high-quality games on show; spread over two evenings. This is now part of our annual rugby calendar, and we are looking to build on this event and offer more opportunities for all schools to participate at Robin Park in the future.”
