Hopwood Hall College rugby team wins the National Colleges Cup

Photo: Nicholas Fairhurst

Hopwood Hall College’s victorious Rugby Team after winning the National Colleges Cup

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Hopwood Hall College rugby academy team won the National Colleges Cup against Wigan & Leigh College, after going into tense extra-time and winning with a 'golden point'.

Hopwood started strongly with impressive tries from Zac Hartley, Ciaran Dean and Liam Riley to take an early lead.

Wigan & Leigh grew into the game, but responding to the pressure Hopwood fought back strongly and by 80 minutes the score was tied at 34 each, with extra time on the way.

The pressure got to boiling point  as the golden point rule would settle this contest.

There was plenty of back and forth, but the Hopwood players broke through first to take the point and seal the win.

Rian Carter-Dean, Hopwood Hall College rugby academy team, spoke on how it felt to win the game and be a Rugby National Colleges Cup winner: “Once in a life time isn’t it? It was a tough game but we stuck it out and played well.”

Matt Calland, rugby academy manager and coach, said, “It’s a fantastic achievement to become the best rugby league college in the country.

“We’re all incredibly proud of the lads on their fantastic achievement.

“It was a great game, and Wigan & Leigh College put up a strong performance to ensure it went to the wire.

"Sportsmanship is very important and our players made sure to shake hands with their opponents, because they pushed very hard and deserve a huge amount of respect.

“We’re looking forward to defending the title next year.”