Beamont Collegiate Academy miss out on Champion Schools final

Castleford Academy 36

BEAMONT Collegiate Academy year eight rugby league players are hurting after missing out on a national final today.

But the plan is to be even stronger next season.

Disappointment for the Beamont Collegiate Academy year eight team

The Warrington boys, knocked out at the same stage of the year seven Champion Schools competition last year, went into their last-four clash with 2017 winners Castleford Academy at Crosfields' Hood Lane ground with hopes after an unbeaten season that included lifting the North West Schools Cup.

However, the side in yellow dominated the early possession and territory and assembled a 14-0 half-time lead that left Beamont with a mountain to climb.

The deficit was doubled before Beamont crossed for a consolation score and they were pressing on the Castleford line for another try when a 90-metre interception effort wrapped up the game.

Mike McLoughlin, coach and head of year eight at Beamont, acknowledged the achievement in his boys counting themselves as one of the best four teams in the country at their age group for the second year running.

"When our boys dust themselves down they'll be proud of their achievements without a doubt. That can't be taken away from them, but we would have liked to have gone one step further," he said.

"Every game has been like a knockout game for us, right through from the North West Counties.

"This is our first loss for the season. Looking at the bigger picture, there's no complaints really.

"We knew Castleford would be strong. They're national winners, and they've won their local competition.

"I don't think we did ourselves justice on the day but credit to them because they are a tremendous side."

The Beamont group used last season's semi-final disappointment as an incentive to improve this time around and they will look to do the same again.

"That's our next challenge. They need to use this as an incentive for the next 12 moths and we will," said McLoughlin.

"They'll keep together. They've been together for two years now with the school and all play at different clubs. They've got a lot of hunger and desire.

"This will hurt them at the moment but that's not a bad thing. We'll come back stronger from it. We did last year, so we will do again."

It is understood to be nine years since a Warrington school reached one of the national rugby league finals at any age group but with Bridgewater High School's year seven and 11 sides also reaching the last four this season an appearance in a showpiece decider does not look to be too far away.

"The bigger picture is that it's a massive achievement for the town having three teams in semi finals," said McLoughlin.

Beamont Collegiate Academy year eight boys celebrating their North West Schools Cup success earlier this season