BOYS at a Warrington school that has no history in rugby league are one win away from playing in a national final at Wembley, writes Mike Parsons.

After seven impressive wins already, the Bridgewater High School year seven rugby league team face Wade Deacon from Widnes in the semi final at Crosfields’ Hood Lane ground on Tuesday, kick off 2pm.

At stake is a once-in-a-lifetime showdown at Wembley, with the Champion Schools’ competition decider being played as a curtain-raiser to rugby league’s showpiece Challenge Cup Final on August 25.

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“The boys are a humble group. There is an excitement, but we’re not wanting to pre-empt anything,” said Andy Roberts, the school’s head of PE and team sports.

“We beat Wade Deacon in the North West semi final but it was a close game, the closest one we’ve had.

“The boys are working incredibly hard, training twice a week to do all they can to make sure they get down to Wembley.”

Mark Smith’s team have scored 246 points and conceded only 10 during their unbeaten run, highlighting a well-marshalled attack and strong defence.

The school’s year 11 team also reached the national semi finals before heartbreakingly bowing out to Castleford Academy on golden-point after normal time finished with the scores level.

“It’s the first year we’ve actually entered the competition,” said Roberts, who is also player-coach at Warrington Rugby Union Club.

“We’ve recognised that we’re getting a number of pupils joining the school who have played a lot of rugby league.

“We still play rugby union as well, but we’re trying to make sure we offer as much rugby as possible whichever code it may be.

“To have two teams in the semi finals and potentially one making a final it’s been a good year for us.

“If we get down to Wembley it would be a fantastic season. Hopefully if Warrington Wolves make it down there as well it could be a great weekend for the town.

“We didn’t expect when we entered it to necessarily get this far but now we are within touching distance we’re incredibly excited about the thought of being down there. For the lads, they’d never forget the experience.

“The long-term aim for the school is to try and get all five year groups competing in the later rounds of the national cup, while still maintaining our rugby union as well.”

Results:

Group stage: St Augustines (St Helens) 38-0, St Peters (Widnes) 38-0, St Peters (Manchester) 48-0.

North West quarter final: St Marys (Leigh) 22-6. Semi final: Wade Deacon (Widnes) 12-4.

National last 16: Honley High (Holmfirth): 28-0. Quarter-final: Dowdales (Dalton-in-Furness) 60-0.