Three teams consisting of over 40 boys represented the school yesterday against QEGS Blackburn in a great fixture that brought two losses and a victory.

1st XI football. The 1st XI football were captained for the first time by Year 11 pupil Anthony Bennett and lost 4-1 to a strong Blackburn side. Blackburn took the early lead but Michael Bennett brought the scores level just before half time. In the second half, Blackburn posed St. Mary's some problems with their pace and power in the midfield and ran out eventual and deserved winners 4-1.

2nd XI football. The 2nd XI football played some outstanding football. Consisting of mainly Year 11 pupils along with some sixth formers who hadn't played for a while acquitted themselves well. Danny Cousins and Mark Mclaughlin were outstanding throughout up front and Michael McElroy was also strong. James Moore played well in goal after a two year break to focus on egg-chasing and Stephen Dooley and skipper Chad Barnes were strong in defence. Blackburn scored first before St. Mary's enjoyed a twenty minute period of quality football which produced a goal from the left foot of James Bibby. James put his Stonyhurst ghost to bed when he beat the defender to put a strong shot past the keeper. At half-time, the score was 1-1 and St. Mary's deserved this scoreline, if not more. In the second half though, Blackburn went up a level and ran-out deserved 3-1 winners. However with half of the side not having played for a while, this was a successful first fixture. The lack of fitness was evident in the second half, but with a game in the legs and having worked off their selection boxes, they will go from strength to strength.

Senior Rugby

Decimated by losing all of the fast lads to the football teams the rugby side were also in action against QEGS Blackburn. A tough game could have gone either way at half-time with score 7-7, but skipper Frost rallied the troops with a Churchillian speech at half-time. In the second half, Reade used the wind well and St. Mary's ran out 40-12 winners. Not for the first time this year, Nick Carter was a key difference between the two sides and he scored two tries, constantly getting over the gain-line. Tom Alman also got over from 20 yards out and Jonathan Ford, Jonathan Bonner and skipper Frost also scored. Reade added five conversions from a possible six.

Well done to all the boys who enjoyed a fabulous day out. Well over half the year 11 were involved in the fixture with a good deal of the sixth-form also in action. Unfortunately some missed due to a maths exam.