Rugby

from The Dolphin - 2021

Team Photographs

Ben Hawley looks back upon a most frustrating season whereby his talented group of players should be hugely commended for their unwavering commitment, dedication and resilience to keep training and improving despite not having matches.

Firstly, I want to say a huge thank you to all the staff for keeping our pupils motivated throughout the first term with some excellent rugby sessions. We had over 70 training sessions without a fixture, and it is a credit to both staff and pupils for the way they engaged. Whilst touch rugby has improved pupils handling ability and ability to find space. I am excited to hopefully have some normality back to rugby in September.

We were lucky enough to have one 1st XV game against Wells Cathedral School. This game highlighted to me that our boys have worked extremely hard in training and have understood the balance between unstructured and structured rugby. It also demonstrated that the pupils have worked extremely hard in the gym as we were much bigger and stronger in the contact area. A big thank you to Mr Gibbins for his time and excellent programming to get the pupils in fantastic shape. It also showed that this team could have been one of the strongest sides that King's Bruton have seen for a long time.

In the first 15 minutes of the match, Wells Cathedral competed well in the tackle area and were determined that we were not going to get over the line. However, fantastic ball carrying from Alex Bairstow, Oliver Barber, George Johnson, James Newcombe and Javdat Muminov broke down the defence. It was great to see the new L6th Form come in and make a real impact. Lewis O’Grady and Charlie Wichary both controlled the game well at 9 and 10 with both Josh Hyland and Felix Mornement looking impressive in the midfield. We finally got onto the scoreboard with a penalty kick from Lewis O’Grady. After this, we started to look at the stronger side. Some fantastic team tries from Ben Burton and Oliver Barber where we used our pick and go game well to secure some points. Lewis O’Grady then scored a fantastic individual try with a chip and chase into the goal area. Isaac Pugh finished a well worked try with some outstanding footwork to beat three defenders to get over the line. Oliver Luck also scored, surging through the defence and using his 6ft 5inch frame to dive over the line in style.

Thank you to all the U6th Form, you have transformed the rugby here at King's over the last four years and have built a culture and a love for rugby. I wish you all the very best in your next journey and please do keep in touch. A special farewell to Mr Gibbins who has been instrumental in creating a love for the gym and I know the U6th along with the whole school will truly miss him and his sense of humour. I am looking forward to the normal season next year with exciting year groups coming up through the ranks.