The netball season at AKS got off to a great start with a fantastic performance by the U14 team in the first round of the Sisters in Sport Netball Cup. AKS secured a commanding 39-1 victory against local rivals Kirkham, demonstrating excellent teamwork, skill and determination throughout the match. The squad showed impressive versatility, with AKS rotating players throughout the game, using five different shooters and four different defenders in the defensive circle. Despite the changes, the team maintained a high standard of play from start to finish. Every player contributed to an outstanding team performance, and the squad should be extremely proud of their efforts and achievement.
The U13s also got their Sisters in sport cup campaign off to a fantastic start with a convincing 19–5 victory over Merchant Taylors. The team played some excellent netball throughout, with strong link-up play allowing the ball to move effectively through the court. Eva-Rose W-T, Harriet F and Evie S were excellent in the shooting circle, showing great composure and accuracy to convert their opportunities.
The defence held strong throughout the match, with Violet T, Alice W and Eva-Rose producing some excellent marking and working hard to disrupt Merchant Taylors’ attacks.
In the mid-court, Winnie v- Rijn, Lily W and Evie S were outstanding, linking the defence and attack brilliantly and helping to maintain the team’s momentum. A great start to the netball season for the U13’s!
The U15 netball team began their season with a challenging fixture against a very experienced Montgomery side that contained many club players. Despite the result not going their way, the girls should be incredibly proud of their efforts and determination throughout the match.
From the first whistle, the team worked tirelessly, showing great commitment and resilience against strong opposition. There were some excellent passages of play across the court, with players moving the ball confidently, finding space well, and demonstrating positive teamwork. As the game progressed, the squad grew in confidence and began to put into practice many of the skills they have been developing in training.
While Montgomery's experience proved to be the difference on the day, the match provided a valuable learning opportunity for our players. The girls gained important experience, identified areas for improvement, and showed a willingness to learn and adapt throughout the game.
This first fixture has given the team plenty to build on for the rest of the season, and their positive attitude and hard work will undoubtedly stand them in good stead in the weeks ahead.
Away from cup action 4 teams enjoyed closely contested Saturday fixtures against strong opposition in the form of St.Marys Crosby.
The U15’s were back in action and in a closely contested match against St. Mary’s. In a match where the lead changed hands several times AKS fell just short, losing 23-24. Louisa B, Hattie W and Gracie S delivered outstanding shooting performances, boosting team confidence whenever the ball reached the circle. The centre court was expertly managed by Evie C, Issy H, Ayjanja K and Sophia T, while the defensive pair of Sadie A and Illaria V grew increasingly confident in their roles. It was an exciting game, with even more thrilling performances expected in the future!
U14 Netball team faced the challenge of playing St. Marys best team which included a number of county players but they rose to the challenge and gave a superb account of themselves. St. Marys started on the front foot with fast accurate netball and fantastic shooting saw them go into quarter time 7 - 2 ahead. After the break we grew in confidence and with greater accuracy to our passing and great shooting from Harriet B and Amelie Y we matched St. Marys up to the half time break. In the second half Penny A worked tirelessly all over the court and great defending from Arabella C and Grace W made the St. Marys shooters have to work hard to get shooting opportunities. St. Marys, however continued to play fast controlled netball , using the space on the court well to pass accurately down the court and despite the best efforts of all the team they continued to edge ahead and at the final whistle had a well deserved 30- 10 victory. The team were a credit as they did not give up and worked hard throughout the match against a very good St. Marys side. The opposition player of the match was Amelie Y with Penny A being coach player of the match.
Despite finding themselves 9–1 down at half time, the U13 girls showed great determination and fought hard to come back into the game, eventually losing 14–8. A much-improved second half demonstrated excellent resilience and team spirit. Great leadership from Eva-Rose W-T helped to keep the team focused and fighting until the final whistle.
The U12 team had a fantastic first game of the season against St Mary’s U13B on Saturday. The girls started strongly, dominating the first quarter with a 6–2 lead, before St Mary’s fought back strongly in the later quarters to eventually take the win 13–10.
Our girls played at a fantastic pace throughout, with excellent shooting performances from Beatrice C, Alana McC and Annie B. There were some brilliant interceptions and well-executed passes across the court, with our defensive pairing of Isla G and Daisy W putting up a fantastic show. Beatrice C was deservedly voted Player of the Match following an excellent all-round performance. Despite the result, it was a brilliant team effort from the whole squad and a very promising start to the season. The girls should be incredibly proud of their performance and will look to build on this in their next game!
The boys enjoyed a block rugby fixture against Stockport Grammar with U13 and U12 teams coming away with victories.
The AKS U13s secured an emphatic 40-10 victory over Stockport in a high-octane performance packed with attacking flair. From the opening whistle, AKS set the tone with exceptional ball movement and creative playmaking. The team's aggressive running line tore through the defense, leading to a relentless display of try-scoring. Joseph L and Sebastian P led the charge with dynamic hat-tricks, supported by double strikes from Henry C. Isaac W, Joseph H, Josh W, Ben J, and Matthew C all crossed the line to complete a comprehensive team performance.
To ensure every squad member gained valuable game time, extensive player rotations were made throughout the match, including resting key experienced players. It was great to see players take the opportunity to step up.
It was a thrilled squad effort that showcased both depth and determination. Training target will be sharpening our line integrity/ speed and communication to support it.
Well done boys!
A a physical encounter, AKS U12A came out on top. Stockport arrived and played with pace and power in the opening minutes. However, AKS’ defence stood strong and remained so throughout the game.
AKS scored four unanswered tries whilst playing both direct and expansive rugby.
Another pleasing performance from the squad but with plenty more to learn and improve upon.
AKS U12 vs Stockport GS (Development Squads)
Our somewhat apprehensive AKS development team faced another strong opponent in their second runout of the nascent rugby season. From the first whistle the lads faced an onslaught from a handful of Stockport players who were simply, taller, bigger, faster, and more experienced. AKS endeavoured to apply some of what we had introduced to the squad in the few sessions we have had together in terms of defence and tackling, but this was a baptism of fire in many ways. Saxon, Jude and Oliver S tried to lead by example putting their bodies on the line and making some heroic and brave tackles. Unfortunately, those heroics did little to stem the tide and we regularly shipped tries throughout the game. As mentioned SGS were bigger, more abundant and constantly refreshed (as they had as many substitutes as players on the pitch). Half time gave our brave boys a well earned breather and a chance to reset. We went out optimistic that we could breach the SGS defences if we could remember to run forward, go to ground when tackled form our ruck then move the ball quickly. There were occasions when Jude our intrepid captain for the day, Oliver S and Harry L made inroads but we lacked the cohesion and the opportunity to string enough passes together to succeed in getting the ball over the line. Both Oliver S and Jude came within a whisker but alas it was not to be. SGS continued to employ their big guns and as injuries reduced AKS to 9 men towards the end the opposition continued with their bigger lads on the pitch to put away a couple more in the last 3 mins. This was a tough day at the office for AKS Yr 7s and they will have learned a great deal from their experience. I want to underline the bravery of Saxon, Jude and Oliver throughout but indeed the entire team of 11 boys who kept going to the bitter end, even when given the option of curtailing the game as they went down to 9.
MVPs: Oliver S, Jude and Saxon
Stockport 49–5 AKS
The early exchanges in the match were close and tightly contested. As the game progressed, however, Stockport began to build momentum and put AKS under increasing pressure.
After half-time, Stockport scored two or three tries in quick succession, extending their lead. To their credit, AKS rallied together and began to play some better rugby
AKS were rewarded late on with a try, following some excellent coast to coast passing to finish the match on a positive note.