Rugby: Review for 2005-06

In the rugby term we were unbeaten in 65% of our fixtures and had strong performances from teams across all age divisions. Our senior team won the Solefields 10-a-side tournament whilst the Colts and U9 teams won the plate events in the National Prep Schools qualifying tournament at Epsom College.

Under 8
Touch Rugby was a new game to many of the boys in Year Three, and yet they appeared to master the basic skills very quickly.  No doubt spurred on from the Football season, the U8 teams performed well against some tough opposition, and remained largely unbeaten. The Internal Festival was hotly contested, as the boys fought for their respective countries, and we caught a glimpse of what we hope will turn out to be a very strong year group for the future.

Under 10A
Despite not recording one single victory, I do feel there is an awful lot to be positive and optimistic about at the end of the season. It's also fair to say that it's not even been a season of 'might have beens' or 'ifs and buts'. We were beaten fairly and squarely in every single match and the boys and I have taken this firmly on the chin. However, let us not overlook the improvements that were made as the term progressed, not only in terms of defence and not losing the ball in contact situations, but games got closer and tighter as the season drew to a close. Results were as follows:

St Michael's: lost 35 – 5
Dulwich Prep: lost 20 - 10
New Beacon: lost 25 - 0
NPSRT went out in group stage
Holmewood: lost 30 - 5
Holmewood: lost 20 - 0
Vinehall: lost 25 -  5
Hawthorns: lost 5 - 0

It would be very easy to lose motivation and enthusiasm for the game when you are having a season like this, but I can honesty say that every boy who played this year gave it his all. I am well aware that our rucking and mauling still requires lots of work, as I am that our backs need to move the ball more quickly and move on to the ball with more gusto. As they say, 'the forwards win the game of rugby, the backs determine by how much!' When you haven't got the ball it is very hard to keep defending, but this is where I was most proud of our squad. Despite staring defeat in the face on every occasion, these boys stuck at it very bravely indeed. Our tackle count must be one of the highest on record for a Prep school rugby team over the course of a season. We really didn't miss that many tackles. All players warmly applauded opposition at the end of every game and manfully took defeat in their stride; brave, brave boys with big hearts who never gave up.

So, all in all, a disappointing season in terms of results, but a good season in terms of some progress made.  We did improve as the season wore on and this was reflected in opposition coach and parental feedback straight after matches. Everything Mr Johnson and I taught them or asked them to do, they tried their best to do it. You can't ask for much more than that. It just remains for me to wish every boy continued success and happiness in rugby.

Under 10B
The boys should be proud of their performances even though their results were quite varied.  Courage was shown by all of the players in every game. The tackles were often immense, so immense that although we had not touched the ball we had forced the opposite back half a pitch. Sam Henderson, Edward Stocker and Luke Morris were possibly the best of an aggressive defending team. The scrum generally gave us good possession due to the sheer physicality of players like Max Grodecki.

Our weakest area was our rucking. We had spent a lot of time on this in games lessons. The staff were often very pleased with the techniques shown by the boys in practice sessions but we just did not seem able to transfer these skills to the matches. When we had possession, we had some extremely good runners who could choose excellent running lines. Rex Boulter, Freddie Hoare and James Goring could set the pitch on fire with their sheer pace. Although Henry Drew joined the As, he epitomised the do or die spirit of the whole team when with us. Ben Moffat also showed an incredible level of commitment to the team.  The boys showed big hearts and should be very proud of all their efforts.

Colts A
What a pleasure to work with such a committed and capable group of boys.  The record will suggest that we lost one fixture of ten played but even two of the opposition parents in that game came across to say how one-sided the referee had been. And this was indeed a team that rarely looked like getting beaten.  We had a big, physical pack and they secured a lot of ball for some quick backs. Our greatest strength throughout the team was our ball handling ability with very few passes ever going to ground, regardless of the weather conditions. We lost out in the Epsom National Prep Schools qualifying event to the eventual winners of the whole tournament by just two scores and then coasted to victory in the plate final. Chris Karg missed only one conversion all season, Harry Rugg led the team by example with some prodigious tackling, Barny Hodgkins was quick and alert at scrum half and Parky (Alex), Jamesy (Darcy), Bally (Nick), Pagey (Oscar) and Ronny (Cameron) kept us moving forward in the loose. Chris Booth was an effective finisher out on the wing and Heimy (Eliiot) and Will McEachern both made significant improvements during the course of the season. Particularly unfortunate were Shem(bop) Raveh and Lexi Galanis who suffered broken arms and deprived us of two very skillful players. We are lucky enough to be retaining the services of half this team into Years Seven and Eight and, if they maintain their development as players, we could have a very exciting I st XV in two years' time. Well done to all those who represented us this year and a genuine thank you to the B's who provided us with extra players, great opposition and some taxing games during our match preparations.  I only hope Mr Green and I don't have to cough up for another meal at Pizza Express next year!

Colts B
We knew we would have a strong squad this year, as this group love their rugby; a passion that manifested itself in every game session with boys of all abilities wanting to improve both their basic handling skills (England are you listening!) and team play. No one told us that the script would be re-written half way through the term where, through a combination of injury and illness, the B's would be decimated, leaving other boys the opportunity to shine and move up from the C's. In total over twenty two boys represented this team and it is an indication of the strength in depth that only one match was lost all season.  The boys worked tirelessly in all weathers including bitingly cold winds, rain and snow but not once was a games session cancelled or a moan heard. (Well, not too much of a moan!)

These boys played festival rugby willing to run the ball from every inch of the pitch, and it is was great to see them try to implement our skill drills in a match situation. This was a team that gelled and worked for each other, this being the true strength of this group of boys.  They were a credit to themselves and school throughout the whole season.

1st XV Rugby:

Played 9 – Won 5 – Lost 3 – Drew – 1

The 1st XV had an eventful season that was unfortunately marred by serious injury – five broken bones has to be a record! The boys started the term with a hard fought win over a strong Dulwich team which proved a fitting farewell to the much missed Alex Weir. James Estlin’s try-saving tackle proved a match-winning one in that it was inspirational! His defense throughout the season confirmed it was not a one-off. Good wins against St Michaels and Vinehall inspired further confidence with talented players like Anthony Sanson and Nick Brauer coming into their own. It was clear to see that this was a team to be reckoned with and the enthusiasm at training sessions was contagious. However, just as things were starting to look up so the injuries started to take their toll.

The absence of some of our big guns against the traditionally strong Holmewood House was compounded by some rather poor tackling. The one sided result was not a true reflection of our ability and gave the opposition too much credit. New Beacon called off their match owing to poor weather which denied us an opportunity to get back to winning ways. What a pity we could not have played these two teams at the start of the term!

Sevenoaks Prep put up a spirited fight in what turned out to be the contest of the season; our determined opponents drawing level in the final movement. Come the much anticipated Solefield 10s the team had recovered enough and, playing on a full size pitch, was able to make the most of James Orchard’s speed and strength. Adam Pollard’s exceptional boot earned him an enormous tally and ensured the team won the tournament convincingly. There were impressive performances from some of the younger players too: few will forget Ben Woodmansee’s try from his own half and George Dewdney’s brave tackling. Further injuries after the half-term break did not help matters and although we came close in the Hudson 7s we were a much depleted team, both in spirit and numbers. Many of the Year 7s found themselves in the 1st Jersey and boys like Fergus O’Neill and Dylan Hurdwell are to be commended on the way in which they stepped up to the plate. Charlie Farrant showed the importance of reading and controlling games and rightfully won the Best 7s Player award.

The boys certainly trained hard and played some super rugby along the way. The front row of Jack Beaman, Will McDowell and Fraser Embeleton-Smith did themselves and Mr Johnson proud. The boys’ running skills and off-loading in the tackle made them very dangerous on attack and won the team much praise from opposition coaches. Unfortunately an over reliance on this and some of the bigger, senior players’ input may have proved our undoing. There is considerable talent amongst the current Year 7 crew and together with the depth that next year’s squad offers, the boys can look forward to an exciting 2007 season.

I thank the boys for their efforts and sympathise with all those who were sidelined by injury - I know how it feels. Special praise is due to our captains Charlie Farrant and James Orchard who lead by example and gave me much appreciated help, especially up the SAS hill! Thanks are also due to the parents for all their help with transport – getting to the Hudson 7s via St Michaels in particular! I wish the leavers all the best in their rugby careers and am sure I will be hearing a lot more about them in the years to come. ‘Knock and lock, drop and drive!’

Other Seasons: Current Season | Rugby: Review for 2010 - 11 | Rugby: Review for 2009 - 10 | Rugby: Review for 2008 - 09 | Rugby: Review for 2007 - 08 | Rugby: Review for 2006-07 | Rugby: Review for 2004-05 | Rugby: Review for 2003-04