Warden Park rugby teams savour success
Warden Park Academy in Cuckfield is celebrating its U12, U13 and U14 teams making the county cup finals, with the 13s and 14s crowned champions.
Lots of their boys and girls play at Haywards Heath RFC and Warden Park have a number of students on the Harlequins Developing Player Programme.
The key is giving students who have never played rugby before the chance to experience the game when join in Year 7.
U12
The U12 came second in the league to a strong Downlands outfit and got to the County Cup final, losing to a Brighton College team.
They had victories over
Seaford Head, Beacon, Bishop Luffa, St Philip Howard and Cardinal Newman.
A number of players new to rugby impressed.
U13
The U13 team produced the performance of the season against Cardinal Newman after losing to them three times this season.
At half-time Park were 15-0 up but knew what to expect in the second half. Ten minutes of constant Newman pressure ensued but the team withstood this test.
Some dynamic breaks from the Park captain allowed the team to gain some ground and get another score. The team also won the Sussex sevens.
U14
The Year 9 rugby team were crowned state school county champions after beating Cardinal Newman (Hove) 24-0 at Brighton Rugby Club.
The team have also beaten Chichester High School,
Tanbridge House, The Weald, Imberhorne and Worth this year. Their only loss was in the All Schools County Cup in the semi-final to winners Hurstpierpoint College.
A number have joined Haywards Heath RFC. Four of the squad also were selected to be a part of the Harlequins Developing Player Programme.
U15
The Year 10 rugby team won the district league after a close 15-12 win versus Imberhorne. They reached the National Bowl last 16 and County Cup semi-finals.
Almost all are with Haywards Heath RFC and four are in the U15 Harlequins DPP.