Match report by Coach Mr Colman

The Year 11 rugby team, supported by 3 Year 10 players, travelled to Rushden and Higham RUFC on Thursday 27 April to play Wollaston School in the County Cup Final. The team are current holders of the county cup and were keen to retain their crown and this became evident direct from the kick off where Vinnie M chased the kick off, gathered the ball and run in for a try under the posts which Monty M converted to make it 7-0 within the first minute; a dream start.

Reality soon kicked in as CCS made several unforced errors to allow Wollaston to progress up the pitch. CCS worked hard in defence with the back 3 of Alfie E, Dan G and Matt P keeping the wings secure and forcing Wollaston to go the direct route, however the pressure eventually told with Wollaston crashing over through their strong Number 8. 7-7. 

CCS found it difficult to maintain possession and gain territory following the re-start and gifted Wollaston their second try to make it 7-14. The CCS forwards eventually managed to string several phases together, with strong carries from Toby A and Reuben K and excellent support play from Monty M, Tudor C, Loki C, Harry B and Isaac M ensuring that the ball was recycled quickly for Josh T who found the ever alert Max M, and he rampaged over the line to make it 14-12. Vinnie slotted the conversion on the stroke of half time to make the score 14-14.  

CCS knew they had the wind with them in the second half and the game strategy was agreed; play the game in their 22m area. Sometimes plans don't always work! Wollaston started the half very strongly and the "plan" was momentarily put on the back burner as CCS reverted to defensive duties. CCS had to show resilience and determination to once again come from behind. The midfield trio of Vinnie M, Harley M and Dylan C worked their socks off in attack and in defence, however the opposition crashed through once more to make the score 21-14. Lesser teams might have capitulated at this point, however this team began playing the territory game. CCS had a try disallowed but still they maintained composure. The game was now "one way traffic" with CCS repeatedly threatening the opposition try line. Their perseverance was finally rewarded with Reuben K rumbling through their pack, bouncing players off and grounding the ball under the posts. The conversion was missed, meaning CCS were two points behind (21-19) with 10 minutes on the clock. Second half wingers, Greg P and Jacob L picked up in defence where Alfie E and Matt P had left off, stopping Wollaston running around the CCS flanks. Ethan D made a late crash ball attempt for the try line but wasn't able to ground it. The clock was running down. Isaac M continued to instil belief in his team-mates, leading from the front and maintaining possession up front. When the pressure was on, up stepped Vinnie M who had stepped in at Number 10, received a slick pass from Josh T and took on the Wollaston entire back line, crossing over to put CCS ahead 26-21. Wollaston were not finished yet and attacked with venom. The CCS team defended as one, repelling attack after attack. With 1 minute on the clock, CCS had to defend a lineout on their own 5m line. This was the opportunity Wollaston had been waiting for but Max M put in 2 magnificent hits on ball carrying players, eventually forcing the mistake and therefore the final whistle blew.

A great effort from every player involved and a special mention to injured player Harry W who helped organise the team and keep up team morale throughout the game.

Final Score - CCS 26 - 21 

Player of the Match:- Vinnie M

On Thursday 30 March, a group of our Year 5 and 6 children took part in another hugely successful event from Northamptonshire sport. 16 schools entered the district level round of competition after qualifying through their cluster competitions.

CCS played 5 games winning 2, drawing 2 and losing only 1, to an incredibly well drilled, and eventual event winning team, from Nicholas Hawksmoor.

The team improved game on game and showed rapid improvement with a great understanding of the game and the demands of the different positions. The top scorer of the night was Blake and the player of the night goes to Owen, who had a really tough battle in the first game, but showed fantastic perseverance and determination and came back strongly in the final games.

Match report by Mrs Evans:

I am so happy to announce the U14 girls won the County Cup final by penalties! It was a very intense game with large amounts of rain! The girls showed so much determination and resilience to not give up and become victorious.

The girls started by going down a goal to nil. They didn’t drop their heads and came back to finish the first half 2-1.

The 2nd half we then lead 3-1, but Latimer were not giving up. They scored with 10 minutes to go to make the score 3-2! 

The girls battled to keep the lead, but Latimer managed to score in the last 5 seconds of the game, the whistle was in the referees mouth! The girls finished the game 3-3.

Into extra time, the girls needed more motivation than ever, with new players on the pitch and many of the team tired from the first game the girls did CCS proud to keep the score clear. The decider would now be penalties! 

Never a good way to end a final but a real experience for the girls to perform under pressure. A much needed 'you can do this' talk and the continuing calls from me telling them I know they could do it… and they proved me right! All of our girls scored their penalties and Isobel C our goalkeeper saved one making the final score 5-4 to CCS! 

A massive thank you as well to my Sixth Form Assistant Coach Zoe B who has coached and supported this team since September. Without the help of the Sixth Formers, I would find the running of so many teams and girls at training very difficult. Zoe was part of the winning U16s team last year and was brilliant and helping motivate and coach the girls through a high pressured event! A massive thank you from me to her! She is in the team photo above. 

This is now the 7th Year CCS Girls football have held a title in the county cup football tournaments!!!!! 5 times now for U14 and twice for U16s. The trophy is back where it belongs for another year.  The whole PE Department are super proud of them all! 

Managers player: Kyla S- incredible talent on the pitch and 2 goals!

Goal scorers Lily B-1/ Kyla S-2

On Wednesday 22 February, CCS attended the District Netball Tournament at Moulton School and came third overall.  There was some lovely netball played in very windy conditions and the team enjoyed the afternoon of netball.  

Special praise must be given to the defenders, T Gisannin, A Hollis, A Agyei, F Osisanya, H Morris, E Meredith and E Swaffer for their improved execution of the back line pass which we had been working on in training.

The games and results were as follows:-

CCS 0 – 3 Sponne – Player of the match A Agyei

CCS 3 – 4 Pitsford – Player of the match E Taylor

CCS 4 – 1 Moulton – Player of the match I Robertson

CCS 3 – 2 Campion – Player of the match S Ranina

Well done to the whole Year 8 netball squad for a very successful season.