Rugby

This season saw a change in our fixture card with a number of new opponents, providing us with new challenges. St John’s Beaumont proved a stiff first test for some of the younger age groups and the Seniors were able to get the better of the Oratory School. Towards the end of the season we achieved a clean sweep against Pangbourne College along with some convincing wins for the seniors against our local rivals, Lord Wandsworth College. We had a successful cup run with the U15s who reached the area plate final, away against the sporting powerhouse Wellington College.

With the high turn outs at training and the enthusiasm with the boys’ commitment to rugby, we are confident that we will continue to go from strength to strength as we welcome our new Head of Rugby, Ben Skirving.

1st XV The statistics don’t tell the whole story, but they do give us a start with the 1st XV playing 17 matches winning nine and drawing one, so a successful season with a 59% win ratio. It was just a shame to lose some close ones that we could have swung our way (Gordons, PGS, Salesian and Pangborne spring to mind). One result that does stand out is the victory at Shiplake with the last kick of the game - a good memory but more grey hairs for me on the touchline.

The squad was ably led by Joe Knowles who was also top scorer, backed up by Ollie Mutch who must have been top of the tackle count over the season. Both showed huge commitment and should be proud of their efforts - being leaders of the Senior Squad is much more than the work put in on the pitch on match days and this pair should be proud of their efforts both on and off the pitch. This season was very much a squad effort with a total of 32 players representing the 1st XV. We also had over 45 active players with the senior squad, which is a testament to the commitment and enjoyment of the game that this group of players had.

This was a talented side with many voices and at times, they could be excellent particularly with the ball in hand. Perhaps we lacked a bit of patience in that we did have a tendency to go for the high-risk killer move too early and a little more patience would have led to better results. However, their skills and ability to work as a team was shown by a fine run in the Hampshire Cup where we ultimately failed to defend our title in the final where we came up against a fine Peter Symonds side who deserved the victory on the day.

2nd XV The Second XV set themselves two goals at the start of the season: to be the hardest working team in the school and secondly, to be the most fun team to play for. It was wonderful to look back at the end of the season and say we smashed 50% of our goals! The boys showed outstanding character in taking the rough with the smooth and were competitive in every encounter. However, despite their efforts, some sterling defence and mind games against strong opponents at Reading Bluecoat’s, PGS and Shiplake, they found themselves starring down the barrel of a winless season (an opening day draw with Oratory aside). However, a trip to riverside Pangbourne proved to be their salvation. In the driving rain they rallied from behind to win an enthralling match, with a standout individual try from stand-off Fin Egan the high point. A first victory was no more than the boys deserved for their efforts and resilience and capped a fine, fun-filled season for the team and plenty of great memories for the departing Upper Sixth.

U16As A most enjoyable season with a thoroughly brilliant group of personalities unfortunately fizzled out as the opposition teams heard of their strength and pulled out of the final three fixtures. Indeed, with a hugely powerful pack, with talented props and hookers, we did not have a contested scrum after half-term, which must be a record! Whilst the opposition might have seen that we were big and powerful, they hadn’t counted on the fact that the pack was also fit and fast across the board and so no scrums meant we would get to the breakdown early and dominate there instead. The backs, too, had an enviable mix of brains, brawn, guile and deftness, allowing them to break the gainline in a plethora of ways and at speed. As a whole team, they

harried and rushed their opponents, never giving them any space on the ball. More important than their obvious rugby talents, this was also a squad of fantastic individuals, a real credit to the school. Invariably polite (their handshaking knew no bounds), they listened and learnt, they were full of character and spark, and they tried hard for each other. A truly great squad to work with! U16Bs It was a short but very successful season for the U16Bs. With such a strong A team, the Bs were fortunate to be bolstered by players like Max Golding, Jack Wright, Joe Allen and Alex Lambrianou, all of whom would be nailed on A Teamers in most age groups. Golding and Lambrianou took Lord Wandsworth College apart in the first game picking some very direct lines, scoring try after try. Reading Bluecoat were slightly stiffer opposition but they were no match for our combination of forward power and midfield pace. Our last game against Pangbourne was also closely matched but again, stoic tackling, relentless recycling of ball through the phases and direct running lines proved too much for the opposition and we ran out 19-0 winners. The boys were disappointed to be let down by the likes of PGS and KES who were unable to field B Teams nonetheless they were proud to finish the season with a 100% record! U15s The U15 squad had an excellent season with nearly 50 boys representing the school. The A Team, under the guidance of skipper Ben Bushell, won 14 of their 16 games scoring 569 points in the process, and conceding only 153. Jack Thomas at fly-half was the top scorer with an impressive 212 points. The final game of the season was a defeat to Wellington College in the last 16 of the NatWest Cup; despite the disappointment, being one of the top 16 teams in the country is a magnificent achievement for a school such as ours, and the boys deserve our congratulations. The team had strength in every position and often dominated their opponents. A number of individuals must be congratulated for their selection for county and academy sides, which bodes very well for the future. Not to be outdone by the As, the B team won five of their seven games, though it was disappointing with such an enthusiastic squad that so many games were cancelled by opponents. As with the As, there was real strength across the squad, and many of the players forced their way into consideration for the A Team. The biggest margin of victory was a 50-0 win against PGS, but the best victory was the 17-12 win over Reading Blue Coat School.

U14s The A squad made tremendous progress throughout the season and it is no coincidence that the harder they worked the more successful they became. They played 11 games during the season winning six and losing five but what an absolute contrast the season turned out to be. In the first half of the Autumn Term, the boys had managed just one victory from six, but boy did they turn that around, by winning all of the remaining games in the season. They worked incredibly hard as a collective unit, understanding the game plan and having the confidence that comes with winning games. In total 28 boys represented the A team, which is hugely encouraging moving forward as it means that there will be fierce competition for starting places in the future. We also managed to provide plenty of opportunities for boys to assume leadership positions within the group and this will undoubtedly strengthen the group moving forward. It was quite a season, too, for the B Team, making fantastic progress as the weeks went on. It was a shame to lose some players as they

made their debut for the A squad, but this was down to their hard work and commitment at training and on match days. As a squad we scored an impressive 275 points in 11 games. It is difficult to pick out one highlight from an impressive season, but I think if I had to choose, it would be our convincing 43-0 win over Pangbourne College. It is an exciting thought to see where this team will go in the near future. Well done to all of you on an outstanding season.

U13s The U13s were a pleasure to coach: always willing to improve and challenge themselves. On the pitch we had plenty of decision makers and their creativity grew game by game. A highlight was a close game against the Royal Alexander and Albert School which was brimming with attacking rugby. Fortunately, we came out better off with a 3530 victory. Over the season the boys won 50% of their matches and convincingly beat Salesian which was a positive turnaround from the start of the season where we were taught a lesson by St John’s Beaumont. Such was the depth of the B squad that there was high competition for places throughout the season. Energetic, committed and skilful, we showed all the attributes of a team that loved its rugby. At training they enjoyed learning and perfecting new skills and ways of seeing the game. Big wins against St. John’s Beaumont, KES Southampton and Halliford proved we were a team to be reckoned with! We produced some great running rugby and loved trying to get the ball out wide and play expansive and exciting rugby. A super group of boys, a super season and no doubt that they will be representing the school for many years to come.

U12s What a wonderful start to the boys’ Rugby career at Churcher’s! Every week we have had a minimum of 45 boys out to training and one week we peaked at 58. They have embraced everything about the rugby program and thrown themselves head first into developing their skills. Over the course of the season we managed to get 66 boys to play competitively against opposing schools and positions across all three teams were fought over all season. I have never had a situation where five boys played scrum half for the A Team, all to an equally good standard, all bringing their character and individuality to the role.