Success for college rugby team

Hopwood Hall College rugby team including: Alex Jobson (second from right), Brandon Mcintosh (third from right), Declan Sheridan (seventh from left), Ryan Lynch (third from left) Middle row: Jack Mcconachie (fifth from right), Shaun Hurley (eighth from right)

Hopwood Hall College’s rugby team has kicked the season off in fine form, winning the North West Colleges Rugby 9s Festival.

The festival, which took place at Crossfields Rugby League ground, saw Hopwood play and win against five different college teams to make it into the finals. Up against Wigan & Leigh College at the final stage, the game kept the crowds enthralled, but in the end, Hopwood Hall College’s team showed just how much talent they have, winning with a final score of 26-15.

Matt Calland, the College’s Rugby League Academy Manager commented: “Hopwood Hall College’s rugby academy is going from strength to strength, and this latest result just highlights how well it is doing. The students have been outstanding in training. We’re all really proud of them and are looking forward to many more wins in the future.”

The star performers for the team’s first success were Alex Jobson, (17) from Oldham, Ryan Lynch, (17), from Oldham, Shaun Hurley, (16) from Rochdale, Brandon Mcintosh (17) from Failsworth and Jack Mcconachie (16), from Rochdale. Declan Sheridan (17), from Rochdale was player of the tournament after scoring an impressive eight tries.

Terry Morley, Centre Director for Sport and Public Services at the College, said: “This is a fantastic start to the year following on from the last academic year. The hard work and dedication from Matt Calland and the students has really paid off. They have trained over the Summer holiday as part of their pre-season training and this was seen in the games they played. The staff and students are a credit to the College and this is just the start of another winning year.”