CASTLEFORD HIGH (Wakefield) 10
NORMANTON FREESTON (Wakefield) 12
Brad England's try snatched glory for Normanton Freeston at Wembley in the Carnegie Champion Schools Boys' Year Seven Final, claiming the Steven Mullaney Trophy for the first time.
Freeston had trailed for the majority of the game despite taking an early lead through Ryan Hampshire's penalty. But England stepped his way through and Hampshire's conversion scraped over the posts to cap a remarkable comeback and deny their local rivals Castleford High.
Hampshire had claimed the first ever Rugby League points at the new Wembley by booting his side ahead after Joe Brownley was penalised for a high tackle on Ben Pape.
However, Castleford took control when centre Luke Metcalfe wrote himself into the history books by registering the first try at the new stadium. Then he backed that up with a wonderful 60-metre effort to push Castleford further ahead as they attempted to claim their fifth Carnegie Champion Schools trophy of the weekend,
Freeston fought back before the break but Metcalfe again proved instrumental, this time hauling down England as he raced down the right touchline. But Freeston took control in the second half. Pip Ellis narrowed the gap after the break by making the most of a sweeping move involving Hampshire, Oliver Conway and England to set up a nervous finale.
Then England grabbed the headlines with just four minutes remaining,
Luke Metcalfs efforts were rewarded as he was awarded the Chev Walker Man-of-the match trophy by former GB Captain Paul Sculthorpe
CASTLEFORD HIGH
1 Matty Bolton
2 Connor Betteridge
3 Chris Oakley
4 Luke Metcalfe
5 Alex Hepworth
6 Lewis Young
7 Jordan Harper
8 Mason Tonks
9 Conner Lilleyman
10 Joe Brownley
11 Mitchell Law
12 Liam Radecki
13 Jack Miller
Subs
14 Kai Hepworth
15 Jack Taylor
16 Danny Maskill
17 Josh Ward |
