Rockets’ squad seals second Cup success
RUGBY LEAGUE
CRAMLINGTON Rockets Under16s Black lifted the North East Cup with a 32-24 victory over Wallsend Eagles.
Taking place at Newcastle Falcons’ Kingston Park stadium, the match featured two sides unbeaten in league matches this season.
However, with the Eagles enjoying a superior points difference and a squad predominantly made up of under-16s against the Rockets’ mostly under-15 players, it was the Rockets who were arguably slight underdogs at the start.
In what proved a ferocious battle, defence was paramount and scoring opportunities slim.
When play did open up, the Rockets opened their account through Phillip Brantingham before his fellow prop Oliver Robinson also crashed over, Alex Donaghy converting both scores.
Wallsend struck back with a converted score before Fergus Simpson went over for a converted effort which took the score to 18-6 at half -time.
The Eagles struck back after the break with two tries of their own, both well converted to take the score to 18-18.
With the pressure mounting, Donaghy scored and converted his own try before Owen Wright extended the gap to 12 points, Donaghy maintaining his 100% kicking record.
With the clock ticking, Wallsend scored one more six-point try to take the score to 30-24 but ran out of time to cut the gap further.
Having secured the Jean Galia Cup in France last month, this was a second trophy of the season for the young Cramlington squad.
Rockets’ chairman Jeff Ball said: “We are very proud of the team.
“A lot of character was shown and the players can rightly be delighted with what was a tremendous effort.
“This is a very strong group and hopefully the lads can maintain their momentum through to the end of the season.”
NANDO’S has entered into a sponsorship agreement with Cramlington Rockets.
The Northumberland-based club, which was runner-up for the RFL National Club of the Year Award in 2016, will see the Nando’s logo adorn the strips of its first team for the rest of the 2017 campaign.
As well as supporting the club, Nando’s will back the Rockets’ community department, which works with schools across Northumberland and North Tyneside.
Nando’s Cramlington assistant manager Daniel Nesbitt said: “We are thrilled to be sponsoring Cramlington Rockets.
“Since we opened nine months ago the Rockets have supported us and shown how much they are part of the community of Cramlington.
“We share many values and we look forward to working with them.”
Rockets’ chairman Jeff Ball said: “We are delighted to have Nando’s on board. We are very proud to work with all our partners, combining national names with local companies who reflect our values.”