24 minute read
SPORT
HOCKEY
1st X1 vs St Georges'
Another enjoyable season of RGS Hockey has come and gone. The leaving Sixth Form can be exceptionally proud of their time representing the RGS.
The 1st XI exceeded expectations in the 2021/22 season. Coming into the season on the back of the pandemic with all its difficulties - least of all with less club hockey having been played – we fully expected a slow start. However, the boys’ collective spirit was not deterred and we enjoyed some fantastic results against good sides. Particular highlights include a brave comeback to win
the match from two goals down on three separate occasions: against KCS Wimbledon, Reigate and Reed's. In addition, the 1st Team won the St George’s College 6s competition for the first time - a commendable achievement at this annual tournament which has been running since 1978. This year, there were 28 teams in attendance. Another first for RGS Hockey; the U15A team were entered into the Independent Schools Cup this year. They 1st X1 vs St Georges' were knocked out on penalties at Warminster School, during the third round. This is an exciting addition to the program offering more competitive playing opportunities for our boys.
The First Form were given fantastic opportunities to play for the school in the Lent Term. On the first weekend, RGS put out eight U12 teams to play against Guildford Hockey Club in a friendly fixture.
To highlight just a few individual achievements is always difficult. Ben Jansen (U6-10) received a handful of Premier League Caps for his club side, Old Georgians Hockey Club. Thomas Bull (5B) and Ehsan Anwar-Khan (L6-1) were crowned National Champions with their club U16 team for Guildford Hockey Club.
Guildford HC
A special thanks to Mr T Owens, who went over and beyond to ensure that the Senior Hockey boys had a season to remember.
We are grateful to both staff and parents who continue to support and encourage the boys to take part in and enjoy. Thanks to all for an excellent season.
Mr C Mullon - Head of Hockey
Guildford HC
RUGBY
After a Covid - enforced break in 2020, it was fantastic to return to rugby action for the 2021 season. It was difficult to predict with any real certainty exactly how this hiatus would impact on participation, but I am incredibly pleased to say rugby has remained extremely popular at the RGS. In fact, absence seemed to make the heart grow fonder and we experienced unprecedentedly high numbers of boys attending training throughout the season. This enabled us to field more than 20 teams and provide competitive opportunities for approximately 400 boys across all age groups on a regular basis.
Whilst summer travel restrictions disrupted many holiday plans, it did provide the games department with the opportunity to run a comprehensive pre-season training program which was very well attended by boys in all age groups. Pre-season gave coaches valuable time to work with players, improve fitness and help boys to safely prepare for their return to contact rugby.
After missing their South Africa tour and the entire 2020 season, members of the Sixth Form were determined to make 2021 a year to remember and they certainly achieved this. The 1st XV produced several outstanding performances to record a 30th place final ranking in the Daily Mail Trophy Merit Table and victory over St Paul’s for the first time in a decade was undoubtedly the standout moment in a memorable season.
There have been many other highlights; the resumption of our annual First Form Super Friday participation event, the dominance of our U15 teams, the increasing standard and popularity of the new non-contact House Rugby events and the 2nd XV victory over St Paul’s to record a rare double to name just a few.
Several RGS boys have been selected for representative sides this season; 1st XV player Tom Humphreys represented Harlequins U17’s whilst 1st XV teammate Max Birtley regularly featured for Surrey U18’s and narrowly missed out on London and Southeast divisional selection. We have an exceptionally talented Fourth Form cohort, and this
has been recognised by Harlequins who currently have seven RGS boys involved in their U15 Developing Player Program. Archie Hosking’s (OG18) impressive form for Exeter University led to his inclusion in the Exeter Chiefs Premiership Cup Squad in November and former 1st XV captain Luke Wyllie (OG21) recently represented Oxford University vs England U20’s.
1st XI vs Reed's
1st & 2nd XV Rugby Final Home Game 1st XV Rugby vs St Paul’s - Final Score
Mr B Dudley - Head of Rugby
FOOTBALL
1st XI Football vs Westminster - All players & ARL
Asuperb year of RGS Football saw over 150 RGS students playing football each week, from the Fourth Form’s attempts to dodge freezing weather on the AWTA, to Senior Footballers playing competitive fixtures across seven teams.
Perhaps most encouraging were the enthusiasm and enjoyment on show across all age groups, especially seen in the large numbers of @ RGSGFootball Fourth Form regularly attending morning training sessions. The Fifth Form footballers were equally committed, and performed exceptionally in a series of challenging and enjoyable matches. Lead by Captain Berty Chilcott, there were also stand out performances from talented footballers like Paddy Kerr and Kian Moodley.
The Senior footballers again lead by example, playing over 75 matches against footballing powerhouses such as Hampton, Charterhouse, Westminster and Bede’s. The commitment, application and skill on show were superb, and some of the football played was genuinely exceptional. Highlights came thick and fast throughout the season, including a Mattia Santoni 2nd XI inspired 3-1 win against Kingston Grammar School, a Jonty Durie brace in a dramatic U17 XI 4-3 victory against a combined Old Boys XI, but a superb 4th XI 2-1 victory against Cranleigh with Patrick McKendry and Ben Thomas netting the 1st XI Football vs Westminster - winning goals was hard to
Alexander McDougall (L6) beat.
1st XI Football vs Westminster - Luke Galpin (L6)
1st XI Football vs Westminster - Ben Yates (U6)
At 1st XI level, a hugely successful year saw players and the team excel, and a 2-1 win against Westminster in the final game of the season really did showcase the talent on show and the progress made. Players of the Season Sam Astles (Captain) and Dominic Stagg shined, and Ben Yates secured the RGSG Golden Boot… from right back!
A final huge thank you to coaches Mr Williams, Mr Presley, Mr Vickers and Mr Dodd, who gave up a huge amount of their time and showed great passion for, and knowledge of, the game.
Mr AR Lowe - Head of Football
CRICKET
After two years of disruption to cricket fixtures, it was a real pleasure to see a full season played out this year without interruption as the weather behaved impeccably.
The 1st XI had a good year playing seventeen matches and winning twelve of these. Stand out results were against Hurst, Dulwich and KCS Wimbledon. A special mention should be made to Henry Amis and Rohan Gupta who scored their maiden 50s and 100s respectively and Ed Eves, who took 5 - 51 against Hurst, whose team contained four players who had represented Sussex 2nd XI the day before. Captain Tom Humphreys has also impressed with scores of 89*, 88, 78* and 59 - averaging 52.9. Opening Bowler Seb Stuart-Reckling enhanced his claim as an allrounder with a powerful 57 vs St Pauls. Unfortunately, the 1st XI were unable to defend their RGS Festival victory of 2021, despite winning 4 of their 5 matches; a loss to Lancaster ensured that the trophy didn’t return to Guildford.
The 2nd XI produced some really encouraging performances over the summer. Victories against Hurst and Dulwich were highlights. Nidhish Gonella, who scored 73 and 64*, Anu Rathore with a score of 83 runs, Malachy Talty for his impressive 5-4 vs Dulwich and Will Wieland’s awe inspiring 75*.
The Under 15 year group had mixed fortunes although there were some impressive individual performances. Special mention should go to Thomas Bull who scored 382 runs with an average of 54.6 and Ollie James for his 5-11 vs Hurst and 4-35 vs Trinity. In the Bs, George Wilson scored 54 vs KCS and Noah Bourne-Waterhouse took 5-16 vs St Pauls.
The U14s had an outstanding year with some memorable individual and team performances. Highlights included block victories over Trinity, Dulwich and Cranleigh and a brilliant knock of 100 from Sam Bagley vs Epsom College in the cup, and an unbelievable spell of 6-6 for Leil D’Souza in the Cs. All of the Under 13 teams had a tough season playing against some really strong opposition. The moment of the season was the brilliant cup victory vs Reed’s where Harry Griffiths made a great 56 ably supported by Under 12 Ollie Pickup who finished on 83 en-route to a mammoth team score of 218 from their 20 overs. The 12As reached the Quarter Finals of the T20 cup, only losing to Reed's in a super over. Ollie Pickup’s 50s vs Trinity, KCS Wimbledon and Dulwich College, and an amazing spell of 5-0 against Howard of Effingham were all very impressive. U12D and E teams U15A vs Reed's also played this year with fixtures against Aldro, GHS and Highfield. It was pleasing to see so many in the year group representing the school. This season the following boys also achieved well-deserved 50s: Toby Rathmell, Barney Sutton, Soj Ghosh, Tom Baker, Arran Chandran, Alex Kay, Alex Jourdan, Cameron Brown, Saul De Gruchy, Zak Tinkler.
Mr RC Black - Head of Cricket
1st XI vs Reed's
BADMINTON
Sid Shirol
There has been a good turnout at badminton club on Friday afternoons and Wednesday lunchtimes with some very strong younger players who will be looking to play for the teams next year. The Wednesday sessions run by Dr Patel for the First and Second Forms has ensured that students of all abilities from First to Sixth Form have had the opportunity to partake in this sport as a co-curricular activity.
There have been Under 19 and Under 16 matches against Wilsons and Reed's. The Under 19s lost to Wilsons but beat Reed's. The Under 16s lost both of their matches. The badminton season finished with a series of nter-House matches. There were four competitions: the Sixth Form competition was won by Powell; the Fifth Form was won by Nettles; there was a combined Third and Fourth Form competition which was won by Hamonde; and the combined First and Second Form competition was won by Austen.
Outside of school this season Sid Shirol is to be congratulated on having won the U13 English National Badminton Championship in both the Singles and Doubles Mixed events. In recognition of their success in playing for the school for a number of years and for representing the U19A team, Theo Collins and Lawrence Duggan were awarded their half-colours. Full-colours were presented to Sam Baker, Faaiq Ali and Pravinth Aravinthan.
Sam Baker, who has a national ranking, has always been willing to help others improve their game. In recognition of his commitment and leadership as the School badminton captain, Sam was awarded the Lawson Cup for services to badminton.
Mr AB Kirkland - Head of Badminton
BASKETBALL
Team photo
This year saw the return of regular Basketball training and fixtures for both the U16 and U18 age groups.
The U16s put on an impressive display against Guildford County School, winning 71-56. With many impressive performances throughout, it was an opportunity for the team to build chemistry and look ahead to a full season of fixtures as they enter the U18 squad.
Meanwhile, the U18s enjoyed their first full season of Basketball fixtures since the return to school following the various lockdowns. With the main core of the team having played together for several years, the on-court chemistry proved to be an invaluable asset in the face of adversity in many games. Their most impressive performances came against local rivals Guildford County School and Charterhouse, with the win against Guildford County School acting as a defining moment for Basketball at the RGS.
I would also like to take this opportunity to further extend my and Mr J Richards thanks to the outgoing Upper Sixth. Your ongoing dedication to the club and the spirit in which you play has inspired many of the Second, Third and Fourth Form to take up Basketball, and pushed those already playing in the Fifth and Lower Sixth Form to become better players. Your commitment to the sport and its development at the RGS speaks volumes about your character as individuals. From everyone at the club, we all wish you the very best for the future.
Efe Görgüner (L6-2) and Jack Doyle (U6-13)
Mr SL Dennett - Head of Basketball
Fin Laffan (U6-9)
FENCING
Freddie Edgecliffe-Johnson on the piste
This has been another memorable season, and we have achieved notable successes in county, national and international levels. In the Surrey championships, we won two silver and two bronze medals, with Valentine Wallin finishing on the podium for both foil and épée in the U12s. Felix Johnson won silver medal in the Surrey men’s intermediate épée.
Freddie Cheng was selected to represent Southeast in the prestigious Cadet Winton Cup. The competition is named in memory of humanitarian Sir Nicholas Winton who organised the rescue of 669 children in the Second World War. It is a real delight that Freddie’s team won both foil and the overall cup.
The Public Schools’ Championships resumed in 2022 after an absence of two years due to Covid-19. The best result was Ronit Sachdeva earning his first bronze medal in a major individual event. Ronit managed to win 11 straight fights in a row before losing the semi-final to the top seed in the U14 épée. Zed Law also won a prize by making the quarter-final in the U18 foil. However,
Public Schools’ Championships Plaques
Ronit Sachdeva, bronze medallist in the Public Schools’ Championship
things did not go our way in the U16 foil, and it was disappointing that we did not make a medal position.
House Fencing was keenly contested this year and Austen were the overall winners. Powell won both the junior and middles categories and Beckingham was victorious in the senior.
Xavier Wallin became the fourth RGS fencer to be selected for the U17 national squad, and he represented GBR in both Bratislava and Paris. Xavier achieved a particularly good placing of 106th out of 280 in the Paris Marathon International.
Valentine Wallin with a medal in Surrey Epee
Xavier Wallin silver medallist in Surrey
The last national competition of the season was the British Youth Championships in May. Five RGS fencers qualified to represent the Southeast for the event. Xavier came 7th in the U18 foil and defeated the reigning Public Schools’ champion convincing along the way. Zed Law also made the Last 16.
The season ended with the Surrey Team Championships and the RGS competitors fenced with their stablemates from Cobham Fencing Club. We won an impressive hoard of medals with Xavier and Freddie winning gold medals in the U18 team foil. Felix won a gold medal in the U18 team épée and Ronit’s team was in second place. Josh Hine made his debut in a county event and teamed up with Valentine in the U14 foil. They also came second and only lost to the top team by a narrow margin.
Perhaps more important than winning medals and trophies is the enthusiasm shown by the boys learning to fence for the first time in Fencing Club. Many of the beginners have enjoyed taking part in House Fencing and there is no doubt that they will be highly successful in competitions in the future.
It is a pleasure to thank our fencing coach, Mr Bengry, for training our fencers both in the RGS and in Cobham Fencing Club. My thanks also go to Leo Kamstra (OG) for his coaching in the Public Schools’ Championship.
Felix Johnson on the piste
Mr WS Lau - Head of Fencing
Valentine Wallin (R) scoring a hit
SAILING
The 2021 and 2022 season had a lot to live up to following the comprehensive success that was the previous year and a cloud had already shrouded RGS sailing… With our sailing superstars in the U6 occupied by exams and work (a strange thing in these times) there were several large gaps in the first team, and the rumblings of long serving members of the team, Henry Hawkes and Ben Shackleton, was clear to hear. The ever present threat from the speedy Rutland team or the dominance from Sevenoaks were striking fear into the hearts of the sailing squad. The impact of Covid was rearing its ugly head again as we had not had a chance to incorporate newer junior boys into the ranks, things seemed desperate. However, new hope was just over the horizon. As long days of the autumn term turned short we were undergoing a recruiting drive. New sailors were being found and developed. The like of Harry Simmons, Oscar Lay, Ben Goldsmith, Alex Judge to name but a few, were coming to the front and learning from the outgoing masters. Perhaps the situation was not as bad as first thought. As we approached the summer events the team knew there was work to be done, but they were not about to shy away from the challenge.
The BSDRA Southerns, the traditional first fixture in the calendar saw one or two of the U6 prised from the revision books and a typically stella RGS sailing performance followed with the team grabbing 3rd place. The weather took its toll on the Easterns and so it was off to Bristol for the Westerns with a youthful team and some good learning. Half Term came and went and before all too long we engaged on the water again at our home event. Fifth Formers fresh from the recent GCSE exams stepped back into the fold, but the hours spent behind books had done nothing for our confidence or performance on the water with the team ended up fifth. The team decamped to Itchenor for its traditional week of racing on the sublime waters of Chichester Harbour, staying once again at the
Ben and Harry during the BSDRA Finals 5* Dickinson House complete with pool, table tennis and large lawn for rugby in the evening. It was wonderful to be back after 2 years away due to Covid. A host of new junior and middle school boys tasted their first experience of this fantastic event, while some old hands taught the new apprentices the art of the tide. A fantastic week was had by all. As we approached the climax of the season the National Schools Team Racing Finals, I knew we would not be the powerhouse we once were, but I was confident we would find a solid midfleet placing. However as so often happens at the RGS the boys stepped up to the challenge and produced some strong racing to finish 5th overall and 4th School Nationally. Henry Hawkes led from the front and was ably assisted by Rob Mawdsley and Josh Inglesfield. With the team staying consistent into the coming year I am hopeful of some useful gains in 2022 and 2023. Alex and Haytham at Itchenor Juniors Jago and Olly powering along during Itchenor Seniors
Mr JC Witts - Head of Sailing
the BSDRA Finals Team
SHOOTING
(Back row) Capt. Black, A Zhang, B Vary, F Weir, 2Lt McEwan, P Carvell, T Anderl, J Myers, Sgt Whicher, (Front row) B Cunningham, J Bowater, Raahul Pulendraraja, James Nicholas, Jonathan Lee
Ben Vary (L6-5), Tyron Anderl (L6-13), Brandon Tan (L6-5) at Bisley
Despite not being able to participate in the sport for about twenty months prior to the start of the academic year it proved to be a strong year for shooting. Success was had in the Michaelmas and Lent terms with wins over Lancing College, Wellington, Epsom College and St John’s Leatherhead. Special mentions go to Scott Swanepoel (5A) and Adam Zhang (5V) who scored 98/100 against Bradfield College, to Third Formers Finn Heath (3E) and George Hewlett (3E) for competing against Wellington College and to Joshua Myers (4H) in the Fourth Form who scored a maximum of 100 while in the VIII during the Lent term. The big event in Lent was the British Schools’ Divisional Championship. The B team won their division, ably led by top scorer Tyron Anderl (L6-13). Congratulations also go to Brandon Tan (L6-5) for placing in the top ten nationally. At the end of the Michaelmas term we bid farewell to D J Woolcott who retired after serving twenty years as Head of Shooting, the range has been renamed in his honour.
During the summer term we competed in the CCRS Club Matches. Special mentions go to Dan Cobley (U6-8) for winning the Nash trophy for individual firing in the Clayton Challenge and to Bruce Behn (U6-1) for winning the Surrey Rifle Association individual trophy. The results also came in this term for the BSSRA International. Bruce Behn (U6-1) competed for the England B team who won their match with a total score of 1,927. In July, fourteen boys from Fourth Form to Upper Sixth took part in the Schools’ Meeting at Bisley. Despite a lack of experience in the team the boys did a sterling job. They did not come away with the Ashburton Shield this year but Joshua Myers (4H), Peter Carvell (U6-5), Ben Vary (L6-5), Tyron Anderl (L6-13) and James Nicholas (4V) all placed in the top one hundred cadets. Joshua Myers (4H) placed fifth in the Cadet Grand Aggregate with a score of 278.19, achieving the highest number of v-bulls in the competition. The VIII won the Green Howards Country Life trophy, the East Surrey Bicentennial Bowl and the Queens Regiment Cup. Tyron Anderl (L6-13) came third in the Elizabethan and Freddie Weir (5N) came first in the reserve aggregate with a score of 103.3, in comparison to second place’s 98.5.
My sincere thanks go to S G Black, E K D Bush, J Underwood and M Whicher for the colossal amount of time and effort they invest in the sport every year and for making my first term as Head of Shooting a very enjoyable experience.
Dan Cobley (U6-8) and Bruce Behn (U6-1) at the CCRS Club Match
SKIING
ESSKIA Qualfiying Round - Aldershot
Mr SJH Yetman - Head of Skiing
Friday afternoons in the Trinity Term saw 22 boys from the First to the Sixth Forms training at Alpine Snowsports in Aldershot in preparation for the ESSKIA Schools’ Championships. 5 teams took part in the regional qualifier in September with good performances all round. At the end of the day, both of our U16 Teams qualified for the English Finals in Norwich where
the A Team was placed 5th. The following day, we had 2 teams in the English Open Championships and British Qualifying race. Both Teams were placed in the top 13 and thus qualified for the British Championships to be held in Llandudno at the end of November. Sadly storm Arwen had other ideas and with trees down on the access road the event was postponed until March. The team consisting of Charlie Lock, Will Gossage, Jack Weeks and captain Charlie Aldridge- Bate went to Llandudno to compete in the postponed British ski racing Championships. Teams from England, Scotland and Wales took part and after good performances by all we were placed 7th in Great Britain. This is an excellent achievement. Congratulations also go to Jack for being placed 11th in the individual event. This was Charlie Aldridge-Bate’s last time in the finals for us, having been selected in our British Team every year since he was in the First Form. By coincidence, his race number in both the first and last events, six years apart, were the same. Congratulations to all who took part in the race series.
In November, we also entered the Surrey Schools’ Race Competition, with our A Team being placed second. Congratulations to Jack Weeks who had the second fastest time in the event.
U16 Teams at Norwich Charlie in the First Form in 2015
Surrey Schools Competition Medal Winners Charlie Aldridge-Bate and Oliver Atkinson
British Finals Team
TENNIS
Third Form at the Heron Tennis Academy, Newquay
This season has been notable for the enthusiasm of the boys and their parents to get stuck into normal life again post pandemic.
Weekly tennis club sessions at Woking and on the AWTA have been fully subscribed all year around. The summer curriculum games sessions have also been hugely popular. Over 60 boys from the sixth form opted for tennis this year as their games option and we have had to use all the courts that are available including Stoke Park to accommodate them all.
This year we were able to reinstate the annual pre-season tennis and surfing trip to Cornwall. Again, fully subscribed with 24 Third Form boys making the journey to Newquay for five days of tennis and surfing tuition.
The Heron Tennis Academy have got planning permission to build Padel courts this year which will be exciting to have available to us next Easter.
The teams competed in the Lawn Tennis Association leagues as well as the Surrey Schools league, the Glanville Cup, The Rootham Shield and the Surrey Pairs competitions.
There have been many great performances throughout the year, however the U15s and U14s deserve special mention: Harry Caulton, Ethan Davey, Aidan Crouch, Joel Sellers, James Trowbridge, George Christiansen, Thomas Dowson, Julian Lewicki, Oscar Gilliam, Alex Talbot, Ollie Southwell, Eddie Banks, Will Hopwood, Daniel Ward and Archie Attwood. The under 15s finished top of their group in the LTA Teams tennis competition.
The best individual performances were from the U15 pair of Harry Caulton and Ethan Davey who performed extremely well in the Surrey Schools Pairs Festival where they won through the group stages to qualify for the quarterfinals against very tough opposition.
I would like to thank all the staff who have helped keep this season running so smoothly, namely: Mr Presley, Mrs Wilson, Mr Lemaire, Mr Wakeling, Mr Eburne, Mr Thomson (LTA coach) and Mr King (Grounds Manager).
Full colours were awarded to James Caulton for his high standard of play and his commitment to the team. He is also appointed Captain of Tennis for next season.
Half colours are awarded to Owen O’Shaughnessy and Seb Lear for their excellent performances and commitment to the team.
Mr JA Casale - Head of Tennis
