The final sporting event of a very busy half term, in more ways than one, took place on Friday afternoon, when most had already departed to start their break. It was home matches for the rugby teams playing against St. Joseph's of Rugeley. This fixture had been booked well in advance and seemed a fitting way for both sporting schools to end the half term.

Both schools had an A and B team and were to play each other. Unlike the Monday tournament, the Churchfield pitches were quite a bit bigger and there was to be only 7 a side, so with eight minute halves it was going to be an exhaustng series of matches.

Both matches started with central timing provided by Mr. Mobberly. Both A teams played each other first, whilst the B's played on the second pitch.

There were few mistakes from both sets of teams. They had learnt their lessons well from Monday. Matched almost try for try at half time the scores were just about even. Some good running and interplay from Churchfield A saw them start to pull ahead. St. Joseph's kept up the pressure with neat passing and runs for the corner, just avoiding foot in touch. At the final whistle, both Churchfield teams had won their first match 10-6 and 7-4 for the A and B teams respectively.

After a short rest the next series of matches began, The A teams playing the B teams. Now thoroughly warmed up, the passing was more fluid and less and less mistakes were being made. Churchfield A began to break the game line of St. Joseph's, who defended valiantly but by half time they were pulling ahead, whereas the B's were down 1-3. The second half and the teams were obviously tiring. After much running, tagging and scoring, the final whistle was blown and scores counted. The results were 11-1 to Churchfield A and a fine comeback meant 6 all to the B's. All in all a successful afternoon, but more importantly a good time had by all. Well done to the teams of both schools who played some really entertaining and accomplished rugby.

Thanks to all the parents who attended and offered their support to the teams.

Next half term continues with more in the way of sporting events in which Churchfield will participate fully.

Not quite like England playing the All Blacks in July, but the summer term does bring with it the Annual Cannock and Rugeley Tag Rugby Competition at Hagley Park Sports College.

A fast and very technical game that requires a lot of skill ensured that some serious training was needed. Two teams had been going through their paces in the previous week's lunchtimes and were ready to take on the opposition.

It was a cooler day than hoped for as we set off for the event, but the teams were confident. Fortunately, they were not to be in the same pool, the A team being in Pool 2, team B Pool 3. There was a slight delay in the start as the cones were laid out, but then the matches began. Needless to say both Churchfeld teams played on the respective pitches first, meaning some shuttle running between the two.

The B team threw tthe ball around with abandon and lost their game, the A team, against The Croft, played within themselves and drew 2 all. The second game, the B team with much more control of their passing scored well to win the game. The A team at last getting into gear went through some smooth passing the score some well worked tries before coming out winners.

The third and final game of the Pool stage. Roused by their win, the B team played much better and competed for the ball well, but some 'knock ons' and forward passes conceded possession, which led to tries against them. Evetually losing a closely fought game. The A team upped the pace and quick       ' out of tag' passing led to some finely scored tries, with excellent following up from the backs. Another win, but was it enough? Like the football we were waiting on the result of the final game to see if we proceeded to the next stage. Fate was against us again. The Croft won their last game against Chase View, thereby beating us into second place on the same points but a better try record. The first match draw had cost us. A pity as all the team had played well and deserved to go on to the knock out stage. The B team, likewise had much improved over their first macth, although did conspire to lose against West Hill.

Still, a competitive couple of hours spent watching some great running rugby on pitches made up of cones, which made the job of the referee even more taxing than usual. It's amazing how quickly the children become experts on the rules of the game!

Thank you to all the parents who offered their support to both teams. Roll on Friday and the matches against St Joseph's.

A Team

 Mark Sage ( Capt) George Lindsay, Bradley Hodgson, Samuel Lovell, Aaron Evans, Tommy Tiernan, Dean Bowmer, Lauren Jones and Abbie Gilbert.

B Team

Jack Brown ( Capt), Callum Connolly, Sam Beattie, Bradley Hingley, Jonathon Hall, Mel Crossley, Alex Whitehurst and Chloe Hodgson.

The team was confident. Training had gone well in the build up, but this was the big one! Final trials had led to the selection of a strong team for this year's Cannock and Rugeley Cross Country Tournament.

Excitement had grown during the day prior to leaving school at 3.30pm for the meet at Cannock Stadium. The car park was filling up as we arrived. Fourteen schools from all over Cannock and Rugeley were attending this year. The usual practice of walking the course followed regsitration. Some  of the children had participated last year, but there were still nerves and some declared butterflies. The course is long. Starting off on the running track, running around the perimeter of the stadium and then finishing off with a lap of the running track proper. The format is a continuous relay of five boys and five girls in a pre determined order, so it demands a real team effort from all involved.

Nerves were jingling as Callum Connolly set off for the first leg. A good start and by the end we were in third place.
Chloe Hodgson set off at a pace and we were second. Mel Crossley maintained a good even run to keep us in with a shout at third place. Josh Yates tremendous leg found us in first place with a margin of several meters.Tommy Tiernan took up the race and extended the lead, as did Emma Cooper, Samuel Lovell and Lucy Beck. All keeping a fantastic pace and finishing well in the home straight. After the 6th leg we were comfortably out in front, but past experience led us to keep our excitement  in check. A slip or fall on the damp grass banks could put pay to a leading place. Fortunately, it was not to be! Bradley Hodgson and Sammie Mitchell completed the event in style, finishing over half a lap of the stadium ahead of second place. The children were ecstatic! Victory was theirs and well deserved too. They had run as a team, and won as a team. Each individual run had been superb. A proud moment for the school and all the parents who gave up their time to come along and support the runners.

Of the one hundred and forty children who took part in the whole event, it was the  ten of Churchfield who came out .....

The Champions. 

This Friday saw the annual running ( literally), of the Hagley Sports College Cross Country Festival, which is attended by the majority of Rugeley schools.

Preparations had begun earlier in the week with trials taking place around our excellent grounds. To the over 25 children who attended these trials, well done to you all. From the initial runs, 14 were selected to practise for the rest of the week with 5 girls and 5 boys eventually being picked to represent the school.

The format of the event is such that there are 5 races for the boys and 5 for the girls, with the positions finished counting as points scored. Essentially at the end of the day the school with the fewest points would be victorious. The course in over 1200m around the Hagley field, and is a very strenuous run indeed.

So the morning of the event arrived and the team set off with high hopes, having finished 2nd last year with many of the same runners. Nerves tingled and muscles flexed and they were off!

Suffice to say of the 10 separate races, not one of the team finished below 4th place. 3 children going on to win theirs. A tremendous effort!

Excitement mounted as the points were counted. Finger nails chewed. At last the result.

Churchfield were the winners!!!

Of all the events we have won  at Hagley, this is the only one that has eluded us, but no more. 15 points clear of the rest, it was a terrific event, with a massive congratulations going the the children who ran their hearts out and the parents who cheered their lungs out.