PRIESTLEY START ON FIRE

Priestley College’s Rugby League team have begun their season on fire after picking up two notable scalps in the opening rounds of the North West SRL competition.

After going through the campaign undefeated last year on a way to a league and cup double, the current crop certainly have a lot to live up to.

The 2007/08 squad brushed all other Colleges aside in the toughest of sporting arenas but were unfortunate to lose a national Carnegie Champion Colleges semi-final against Wigan and Leigh, which in turn robbed them of an opportunity to appear at the Gratton Stadium, home of the Bradford Bulls.

However, Priestley gained revenge for the defeat most recently when they despatched the same opposition 42-16 on the Loushers Lane campus as Centre Mike Lee raced in for six tries.

The emphatic win came on the back of a superb effort away in St Helens when Priestley’s new look side got on top of their arch rivals to end up on the right end of a 16-19 scoreline.

With calibre Warrington Wolves squad players such as Kevin Penny and Mike Cooper already passing through Priestley’s doors on the way to Super League stardom, the College remains confident that it won’t be that long before the next former student is knocking on the doors for selection at the Halliwell-Jones Stadium.

Speaking with regard to the new campaign, Head of Sport, Nigel Howells, commented, "It's certainly early days at this stage but to win away at St Helens and then back it up with an emphatic win over Wigan and Leigh shows that the boys really mean business again this year."

Adding, "A number of the squad are balancing their studies with commitments to their potential careers as professional rugby league players and we will do all we can to support them in their ambitions."

Words by Nat Ashurst. Photo by Neil Ashurst

Why not send us your stories & photos for use on Stocktonheath.org.uk

For all the latest news from Stockton Heath and the surrounding areas, see the latest on-line issue of South Warrington News