Rugby: Review for 2004-05

1st XV
Our season got off to a determined start losing out to Dulwich Prep in the dying minutes of a gritty, hard fought match.  It did expose a few weaknesses though which we then worked on throughout the season.  Mr Johnson gave us a few good tips on scrummaging and this enabled us to get the advantage up-front, or at least the mindset not to give an inch!

During the season we played 9 matches: won 4 lost 5. We scored an impressive total of 126 points and only conceded 101. The most important of our wins was against arch rivals New Beacon, who have had the upper hand in recent years, There were also a few tournaments during the season in which we did ourselves proud.  In the Solefield X's we were runners-up overall and in the junior Kings tournament we won the plate competition.

We had quite an agile pack this season which I think helped enormously. Once we got into the routine of getting to the break down quickly, we enjoyed more possession which meant we could get the ball out to our fast backs. Our promising half-back combination allowed the centres to try out new moves, and the wings to score some fine tries!

Although we didn't win as many matches as we might have hoped, the team morale was aways high even in times of hardship - the match against Holmewood House springs to mind!  Everyone dug deep for their school and each other, making it a memorable season, and those tiring hill runs all the more worthwhile!  Well done chaps!

2nd XV
The 2nd XV enjoyed a very good season opening and closing with a 19-19 draw!  The first fixture was by way of a warm up game with Dulwich Prep and demonstrated the considerable talent within the team.  We had strong, mobile forwards and backs with less physcal strength, but good handling and running skills.  These were shown to good effect throughout the season and indeed we lost only one match against a powerful Homewood House team.  Our best performance was against a Marlborough House A/B team that saw us snatch a thrilling encounter 47-42!  The award for best players went to Ollie Miles in the backs and Adam Blaney in the forwards.  Our final game was an epic encounter with Ashdown House when, having built up a big lead, we had to hang on for grim death to get a draw; a fitting end to a fine season.

3rd XV
The Thirds have enjoyed a smashing season.  The team's progress has been excellent and we all felt it a pity we had to lose the fixtures we did to weather.  Early victories against Vinehall and Holmewood House understandably created high expectations against Ashdown; in the end, however, the latter simply crossed the line too many times for us to be able to catch up.  It was a great source of pride to me that the matches meant so much to our chaps, even though rugby is certainly not in every case the boys' first choice of sport.  We invariably looked confident in attack and, to me at any rate, unexpectedly tenacious and effective in defence.  I think a couple of players surprised themselves with a) their ability and b) their enjoyment of the game this season; take it on, chaps!  Well done the Thirds!

Colts A
This was a fantastic season for the Colts A XII, unbeaten on the circuit, they have achieved a status that comes rarely in the game.  The manner in which this was gained was even more impressive: without the luxury of one or two outstanding individuals either in relation to skill or strength, the boys formed a cohesive unit which tackled unrelentingly and starved the opposition of possession once they had the ball.  The forward play enabled the backs to have the time and space they needed to carve through the opposition and the support play was almost always there to retain possession.  Without outstanding pace or strength, the team had to work for all their scores and the closeness of the results show how tight each game was.  It would be unfair to single out any individuals in the season's performance as ALL have played an important and major part in the success of their UNBEATEN season.  Well done gentlemen, you have done yourselves proud.  I hope you enjoyed the season and will continue to play the greatest of all team sports for many, many years to come.

Colts B
The Colts B team players are to be congratulated on a very successful rugby season, losing only one game.  From the support of the parents, to the boys playing the rugby, there was strong commitment.  The amount of possession obtained was immense often because of our ability to turn over ball; tackling, rucking and mauling were evident strengths. Fergus Trafford and Luke Hoffman made good use of the ball up front and mention should also be made of James Thompson, Alex Beechey and Callum James.  However it was only towards the end of the season that we really managed to start to pass the ball along the line to our speed merchants Adam Morris and Ben Williamson. To watch the ball going through the hands of Jonathan Kinsey, William Bryant and Edward Atkin was a pleasure.

Under 10A
The U 10A team had a good season.  Narrow defeats at the hands of Holmewood House, Vinehall and Hawthorns early in the season were followed by fine victories against our arch rivals New Beacon, St Michael's, Hazelwood and Hawthorns. Our only draw came against a well drilled Dulwich Prep side.  We did not fare well at the Nationals this year where we were eliminated at the group stage. The standard of rugby at this tournament was very strong and, despite going out of the competition early, the experience was a positive one in terms of setting ourselves higher standards for our remaining matches.

Highlights of the season included our superb team effort to defeat New Beacon. Our bravery in defence was just incredible that day and it was hard to believe the boys were only 9-10 years old with some of the 'hits' and turnovers taking place on a frequent basis. Moreover, we exacted sweet revenge over Hawthorns in the very last game of the season by playing some slick, attacking and attractive rugby.

One of the key areas for development this year with all of the U10s has been to get that ball over the 'gain' line at whatever phase it happens to be. There has been significant progress here which bodes well for the future.  Ball presentation and offloading in the contact situation can also be improved further if we are to retain possession and momentum and grind down that opposition!

A few names to mention: Oscar Page revelled in being awarded the captaincy and led by example on many occasions. Chris Booth not only scored some excellent tries in the backs but he also managed to defend magnificently in every single match. Congratulations must also go to Elliot Heim and Sandy Hills for breaking into the A team and holding down a place with their consistent efforts.

Well done to the whole A team squad each and every one of you has improved your game and this is to be applauded.