25 minute read
Rugby
1ST XV
This was a very good season for the 1st XV, we played ten matches, winning five and losing five. The squad was keen to perform well and consistently trained well. The season started with a good win against a weakened OP side, followed by a loss against a strong Woodhouse Grove side. Captain Ben Lodge lead by example, continually performing at the highest level. His front row colleagues of Alex Harrison, Isaac Watson and Will Taylor were solid in the set piece and effective in the loose.
We then travelled to Worksop for a new fixture and performed well to record the win, Benji Wilson and Tayo Flanders-Abidakun were effective second row partners and Curran Maguire added strength and power to this aspect of the team. Our back row of Harry Booth, Will Kinnersley and Zak Darbandi were effective ball carriers, with a high work ethic in defence.
Next came Durham and a disappointing two-point loss. Revenge was to come, however, when we drew them again in the cup. In our best performance of the season, we turned around that result and moved into round 3. An impressive win against QEGS gave us confidence for the challenge that was Sedbergh away. In terrible conditions we defended well and could take confidence in scoring three tries. Our half backs of Ben Poskitt and Chris Wood were now controlling games nicely and centres Matty Lodge, Nana Danso-Appiah and Freddie Adcock provided an attacking edge whilst being a solid defensive unit. We then moved into half term and the St Joseph’s festival. This was the first time for many years we had entered and unfortunately we were not at full strength. Playing some of the best teams in the country it was a tough weekend, but confidence was taken from pushing the eventual winners very close.
After half term we travelled to RGS Newcastle and were beaten comprehensively by a very strong side, this also proved to be the end of our cup run. We then bounced back with an impressive win against Barnard Castle. Our wings of Benedict Quinn and Barney Baker were always improving and the solid defence and attacking threat from full back of Tom Hatfield provided an effective back three.
We then played GSAL on their 4G pitch and came away on the wrong side of a tight game but finished comprehensively with a win against Pocklington.
This was an enjoyable season and one that the boys can be proud of, they were excellent trainers, very committed and wore the shirt with pride. Well done to the 1st XV for the season.
Squad: B. Lodge ( Cpt)**, I. Watson*, A. Harrison*, B. Wilson*, T. Flanders-Abidakun*, C. Maguire*, W. Kinnersley**, H. Booth*, Z. Darbandi*, B. Poskitt*, C. Wood*, M. Lodge*, N. Danso-Appiah*, F. Adcock*, B. Quinn*, T. Hatfield*, B. Baker*, E. Leigh-Howarth, J. Bates, W. Taylor*
Mr Steve Williams
PHOTO CREDIT: KL PHOTOGRAPHY
2ND XV
This was an excellent season for the 2nd XV. They played ten matches, winning seven and losing three. Our first game of the season proved to be one of our toughest encounters against Woodhouse Grove, a tight physical encounter resulted in a 10-0 loss. The boys then rallied with back-to-back wins against Worksop and Durham. It is never easy to play against another schools 1st XV and our 2nds travelled to Prince Henry’s, Otley to do just this. Another excellent close game resulted in a loss 19-12. A big win against QEGS moved us towards half term and an away match against Sedbergh. On this occasion Sedbergh were just too strong, resulting in a 28-0 loss.
A well-earned rest over half term and the 2nd XV came back refreshed and ready to improve and progress. The half term leading to Christmas proved to be very successful for this team going unbeaten. Wins came against RGS Newcastle, Barnard Castle, GSAL and Pocklington. This was an excellent season from a very committed group of boys, their attitude to training was exemplary and their ability to adapt to different opposition very impressive. The team was very well captained by Joe Bates and the team was exemplified by a strong pack of forwards and some pacey skilful backs. They were very well coached by Mr Smith and can be proud of their season.
Squad: J. Bates (Cpt), C. Blackburn, W. Burgess, H .Campbell, L. Carlyle, O. Coulthard, C. Cunningham, C. Farrington, C. Fell, N. Gill, W. Guyer, H. Jones, C. Ledden, E. Leigh-Howarth, C. McAlpine, O. Pettigrew, A. Pollard, C. Prince, E. Ramsden, M. Roberts, J. Steenberg, M. Taylor, T. Uren
3RD XV
The 2018-19 season proved to be another successful term’s rugby for the St Peter’s 3rd XV (The Gents). The team spirit and the commitment from the players was superb right from the very first training session and it was clear the Upper Sixth players in the team wanted to finish their rugby careers at St Peter’s on a high. The coaches (Mr Battersby and Mr Bates) instantly knew the season was going to be a good one and with a range of fixtures against 2nd and 3rd XV sides from across Yorkshire, the team agreed to take one game at a time. It was therefore fantastic when the team lined up for the final game of the season against Sedbergh on 8 December with an unbeaten run behind them. The team achieved some superb victories along the way with big wins against Worksop College 2nd XV (Away), Scarborough College 1st XV (Away),
Hymers 2nd XV (Away), Ampleforth College 3rd XV, Newcastle RGS 3rd XV (Away), Pocklington School 3rd XV, not to mention some hard-fought training game victories against the supposedly stronger St Peter’s 2nd XV.
The final game of the season, superbly refereed by Mr Grant, turned out to be a physical and confrontational affair. Sedbergh, having been beaten on their own pitch in Cumbria just before halfterm, were out for revenge and we knew as they got off the bus that it was going to be a tough winter’s afternoon on the Riverside pitches. However, the STP 3rd XV team stayed motivated and focused. They took their attacking opportunities with precision and some excellent inter-play between forwards and backs allowed us to build a solid lead. The team tackled as if their lives depended on it and Sam Wordsworth, Will Morrison and Josh Harrison, who all had outstanding seasons, dominated the mid-field contest and managed the defensive line with authority. Sedbergh could not find any space to exploit. Zak Buttle with his bustling and uncompromising runs and brutal tackling had a storming game at hooker and the St Peter’s 3rd XV’s own kamikaze brothers of Jack Farrington, Corey Ledden and Tom Hulmes repeatedly chopped down and stole ball from any Sedbergh boys who mistakenly ran in their direction. The front five stayed strong with Oli Head and Giacomo Grelli dominating at the breakdown and the second rows of Isaac Giannini and Freddie Stothard running some excellent lines off our half-backs, drawing numerous defenders, but also making valuable yards as they charged forwards. The big Nigerian prop, Ope Okunoren, also proved to be a weapon with the ball in hand and his thundering runs accompanied with his trademark banshee battle cry made the opposition think twice before tackling him. James Bramley had a superb game at scrumhalf and it was very reassuring to have Nick Gill fielding any opposition high kicks at full back. Matty Roberts shone on one wing and the speedster Ben Ross-Russell showed the opposition players a clean pair of heels on the other wing. All in all, it was a fantastic spectator event and after an exhausting 70 minutes it was clear just how much this victory and the unbeaten season meant to the whole team. I hope future 3rd XV sides play with equal levels of determination, pride and team spirit as the boys have this year. Squad: O. Head, Z. Buttle, G. Grelli, F. Stothard, I. Giannini, T. Hulmes, C. Ledden, J. Farrington, J. Bramley, W. Morrison, M. Roberts, S. Wordsworth, B. Ross-Russell, J. Harrison (Capt), N. Gill, J. Akyol, E. Morrison, O. Okunoren, W. Zaman, T. Burgess, J. Munton, T. Greenwood, F. Dawson, M. Piquiot, C. Fell, A. Chen, I. Rzheznikov, T. Uren, M. Hollinrake
U16 RUGBY REPORT
“Never say never because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.” – Michael Jordan.
Essentially the season started in July with pre-season training at school and ended in the glory of their Rosslyn Park win. This win was a credit to the entire squad who were tremendous listeners
and were willing to embrace challenges all year. None more so than those provided by the loss of both Joe Baker and Olly Tomalin to injury for the most part of the 15`s season.
The lads started the season well with a tremendous away win at WHG and continued in this vein with a very convincing win away at Worksop. Sadly, on a very dry and hard pitch this saw an AC injury for Jack Davis that kept him out for almost two months and an ankle injury for Will Charge that caused him issues for the rest of the season. The B XV took on Ampleforth 3rd XV and showed that we had a very strong squad going down by only a score. Durham came next and we lost Will Coggrave to an injury caused by a reckless clear out early in the game. Despite this we went on to win this game and the B XV who played almost the same side minus its top players the following Wednesday did the same.
At this stage it was very clear that we had strength in depth within the squad. We took the opportunity to move several players around both in teams and positions. Exeat followed and we moved onto a fine win at QEGS – the second half performance was faultless and showed again the lads’ ability to cope with adversity. Then came Sedbergh on a beautiful day on the 1st XV. The game started with Sedbergh scoring a wonderful try of the first phase of the game and finished with us scoring the equalising points with the last play of the game, the conversion hitting the post to give us a 38-38 draw. At the same time the B side had a close loss to the same opposition. It was now clear as we approached half term that we had three proper 9s, Dom Winn, Charlie Bramley and Toby Search and the same for 10, Elliot Watson, Toby Search and Harvey Gration. Our front row was secure in the hands of Will Charge, Joe Padgett and either Bobby Schofield or Archie Pope with Henry Coulter Pepper able to step up when required. Mike Brown, Harry Lister, Giacomo Grelli, Max Mikhail and Issac Burley did an equally fine job in the second side. In the second row we were fortunate to have Tom Jaques, Will Coggrave, Tudor Maude and Ben Webster, Matt Coates and at times Isaac Burley. Our backrows provided a real focal point of our attack and the driving force in our defence. Hugo Hughes at 7 was a revelation with Max Darbandi at 6 and Paul Townend at 8 coping superbly in the absence of Olly Tomalin. Josh Gath, Tom Hollinrake, Max Hollinrake, James Brent and George Pears doing the same job with the B XV. Ever present at 12 was Joe Lawrence who developed an outstanding understanding in both attack and defence with Elliot Watson who by the end of the season proved to be two of our best defenders. David Ford proved himself in this position outside both Toby Seach and Harvey Gration. 13 was a position of flux after the loss of Joe Baker and was filled well by Flynn Southgate and Oli McBeath when they were not playing at fullback or on the wing. Ed Jackson made the position his in the B side. Our wings were covered by Joshy Bennison, Banky (Claudius-Cole), Oli Mc Beath Jack Davis on his return from injury, and James Hatfield. Lawrence Lam, Matt Ng, Ed Roebuck and Jimmy Dawson performed this well in the Bs. At 15 we were blessed with the maturity and growing pace of Flynn Southgate whose communication with Elliot at 10 proved a huge part in our success. Sam Mckeown was an able deputy across the back three when injury took Jack, Flynn or Oli out of the side. Tom Matthews made this position his own in the B side.
The second half of term brought new challenges with attempts made to keep fixtures meaningful. Our first matches were against RGS Newcastle and Ampleforth 3rds again. At RGS we were only in front in the last seconds of a pulsating game which we won 35-34. A very hard-fought match with huge endeavour from both sides produced some good tries but none better than Toby Search`s 60m blistering finish with the last play of the game; he has so much potential in a number of positions in the backs. At Ampleforth the much smaller U16 side again acquitted itself superbly. We then took on Barnard Castle with seven full A teamers out with injury, GRTP and illness. It was a balanced game until we lost a couple more in the second half and they proved too strong in the closing minutes. Our next outing proved the most encouraging of the season in many respects. We took on Ripon GS and Ampleforth U16 A on the same day. The strength in depth and courage of the whole squad was there for all to see. The Ripon game was drawn and the Ampleforth game lost by two scores in a match where offside was not really a feature! Toby Search at 10 was closer to their 7 than he was to our 9. We then had our second home game of the season vs GSAL on the 1st XV. In contrast to the superb game vs Sedbergh on the same pitch two months earlier this was a huge disappointment including disallowed tries, tries that should have been disallowed and a nasty undertone to the game. The final games were away at Sedbergh and Pocklington. James Brent was quite outstanding at Sedbergh and the less said about the Pocklington fixture, other than we won it, the better.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank every member of the squad for their commitment, the English Department for making the away matches work despite P5 on Saturday and Gareth Sharp and Mark Moss for their huge efforts to make the season work well for all the lads. I would also thank all our parents for watching the games, supporting the team and not just their children. Their quiet and fulsome support is much appreciated.
Mr Paddy Stephen
U15 RUGBY REPORT
I really enjoyed coaching this group of boys in the Fourth Form and it was great to see that as their maturity to training changed so did the style of standard of rugby they were able to play on the field. It is always a difficult year U15, some boys have matured very quickly and are a lot bigger and stronger, whilst some boys still have their growing to do and must rely on their technique and skill level.
The pack of forwards made great strides this season. They had plenty of power but also the dexterity to be ball players too. The front row of Nico Masuci, Louis Recchia and Patrick Moorhouse more than held their own throughout the season. Louis had a tireless work rate and constantly gave his all, Nico really understood how we were trying to play the game and had the skills to move the ball nicely. Patrick was new to the team, although raw as a rugby player, he was very physical and carried the ball very effectively.
Sam Stephens was also new to the team this year and brought a steely confrontation to the front five. He was equally happy in the back row and carried the team forward well. William Contreras had a great season and scored some memorable tries, his versatility enabled us to combat different teams and could move him around the back row and the centres. Josh Talago played a few games in the second row and contributed in the centres too, and I was extremely pleased with the progress he made physically this season.
We had some very combative flankers this season, whose heart and courage didn’t match their size, but they were very effective. Nick Brown was extremely attentive in training and was always keen to improve, his martialling of the blind side and tackling was great to
see. Max Marshall was also very tenacious and threw himself into every contact, he also had a step and acceleration that most fly halves would be proud of! James Brown played several games in the back row and could also be relied upon to give everything and never let the side down.
Nat Esler played very well and was able to use his power and strength to get us going over the gain line, he certainly has the ability to move the ball too and developed this well throughout the season.
I was especially pleased with the set piece of the forwards this year. Their lineout was excellent, probably the best on the circuit and a steady scrummage always gave us a set platform to play off.
James Barker, James Gilman, Dylan Jones and Wolfe Morn all played a lot at half back throughout the season and brought different cards to the table. James Barker was always a threat at the scrum, disrupting opposition ball and able to spot breaks in the defence. James Gilman reads the game very well at 10 and is able to think about how we are trying to play the game. Dylan Jones offers a little more pace and uncertainty to the opposition, always keeping them honest and defending, he also played a lot on the wing. Wolfe Morn brought his organisation and communication to the team, he used this effectively on the wing too, but demanded the ball at 10 and made sure that everyone knew what was going on.
Ben Irvine was a good captain, and the boys respected his playing ability. He was very competitive and led by example on the pitch. He demonstrates a great rugby brain and can execute his skills well, as he became more confident in his teammates, the structure and quality of the teams’ play developed too. We had several combinations in the centre, and as you can tell, I tinkered quite a bit with the backline. Tom Stephens was excellent at 13, but also offered us a much better attacking threat at 15, where he played most of the season. Toms’ commitment to the tackle and attack shone through this year. Toby Baker from Third Form also played in the Cup Games at inside centre.
In the back three, Isaac Allison was ever present on one wing. Isaac had tremendous pace and worked a lot on his defence and game awareness throughout the season, scoring plenty of tries. The other wingers were made up of our utility players already mentioned.
A few games stand out for me. There was the fantastic win away against Sedbergh in horrendous conditions, which displayed great fight and determination and gave the team a lot of belief. The two games versus Pocklington, where we really developed as a team and realised the importance of accuracy in our drills and the ability to read the game and change things up in attack, when one thing wasn’t working.
All in all, it was a very enjoyable season, and the boys were playing some fantastic rugby by the end of it. I am sure with a commitment to training and the inevitable growth spurts of a couple, they will play some fantastic rugby in the Sixth Form. I really look forward to following their progress and enjoying seeing them play.
Squad:Nico Masuci, Louis Recchia, Patrick Moorhouse, Baran Ozkan, Sam Stephens, William Contreras, Nick Brown, Max Marshall, James Brown, Nat Esler, James Barker, James Gilman, Wolfe Morn, Isaac Allison, Joshua Talago, Ben Irvine (C), Dylan Jones, Tom Stephens, Alex Freshwater
U14 RUGBY REPORT
This was an excellent season for the players. Although teams suffered defeats, lessons were learnt, and the final product became so much stronger.
The opening match of the season was against Woodhouse Grove which resulted in a comfortable victory. Perhaps too comfortable as in the following game against Prince Henry’s Otley, they were defeated by a team displaying aggressive defence and strong direct running. This defeat made the team far more determined and gave them the necessary motivation to improve. They began to work very hard on individual skills which in turn improved their team play in both attack and defence. Victories against Ampleforth, Durham, and Scarborough followed.
The fixtures against a strong, QEGS, Wakefield side and a well drilled Sedbergh side proved to be the turning point of the season. The team had to be very determined to beat QEGS and although scoring six tries, victory was achieved through resolute defending… trusting those around them. Confidence was gained and spirits were high and the contest against Sedbergh eagerly anticipated. It was a very committed match and at times one needed reminding that it was indeed an U14 fixture! Although Sedbergh were deserved victors, it could perhaps be said that that St Peters benefitted more from the match! An RGS Newcastle side that earlier in the season may have caused a few problems were blown away as were Barnard Castle, GSAL and Pocklington.
“There is no substitute for pace” and this side had it. Sean Norza at full back is an exceptionally well-balanced runner who regularly entered the line to devastating effect. Defensively he is very effective and rarely missed tackles…. he certainly saved several tries. Toby Baker and Lucas Winn formed a very good partnership in the centre and the team relied heavily on Toby’s leadership, example and sound ‘rugby brain’. Half backs, Freddie Iles and Freddie Black are both talented ball players with determination and skill. As their school careers develop, they will undoubtedly become more influential. The forwards were rarely outplayed and as a unit they enjoyed the challenges presented to them. The back row of Richard Alvis, Charlie Hughes and Elias Smith were both destructive and constructive, all willing to run with the ball and give the continuity that the side needed. Frankie Padgett, Finlay Savage and Brian Chum did an excellent job at prop, creating a very solid base for the scrummage. Their mobility and effectiveness in the loose also improved. Charley Gardner, Joe Jacques and Mitchell Guppy completed the forwards and all of them were equally adept at playing in several positions... a reflection of their ability.
Most importantly this season proved to be very enjoyable. Rugby was played with smiles on their faces and mistakes were made and improvement made. Thank you to all the players and to the coach Mr Slingsby.
SEVENS
This was a Sevens Season that started disappointingly with a combination of bad weather and tournament cancellations due to RFU regulations. Our U14s were most successful early on, winning the Mount St Mary’s and Hymers Sevens Tournaments. Our U15s were runners up at Ampleforth and Durham and the 1st VII were also runner’s up at Ampleforth and managed to lead Sedbergh in the final at Mount only to be narrowly beaten in the second half. The U16s unfortunately had every tournament prior to Rosslyn Park cancelled.
The real success came at Rosslyn Park – the 1st VII won our group and then losing the play off progressed to the bowl competition. Winning the group quarter finals, the school were unlucky to go out in the semi-finals, losing on points difference.
The U14s also won their group and progressed through the play off stage to the last 32, then into the ¼ finals. Lessons were learnt as tries were conceded early resulting in too much to do in the second half and an eventual two-point loss.
The U16s were the surprise package, with little tournament preparation they went into the tournament with no real expectations but what was to unfold was simply amazing. Over two days some magnificent performances resulted in the U16s winning the Colts tournament for the first time in the history of St Peter’s.
ROSSLYN PARK MATCH REPORT
St Peter’s York secured the Rosslyn Park HSBC National Schools 7s Colts title with a thrilling 15-12 victory over Millfield in the final. It was their first ever title at Rosslyn Park, having reached the Vase final at U18 level, a brilliant achievement made even more special for them through beating Rosslyn Park’s most successful side in the final, Millfield.
Indeed, St Peter’s had almost been checking off legendary sides of this tournament on their way through, heading up Group G yesterday before beating Durham in yesterday’s last 32.
On Thursday they kicked off their day with a 26-21 victory over a very good Epsom College side that had attracted plenty of attention throughout the Colts tournament thanks to their superb touchline support but had then attracted even more due to their play.
Up next for St Peter’s were the reigning champions, Sedbergh, and another thrilling game that ended again in a 26-21 victory for the York school. It was a superb performance against a side that had been playing some utterly brilliant rugby over the two days.
Then came a semifinal against the surprise package of this Colts tournament, Uffculme. Uffculme had been superb throughout, including a brilliant 40-14 victory over Langley in the quarter finals. They came unstuck against St Peter’s though, the champion side showing their class to score some delightful tries for a 31-5 victory.
That set up the final against Millfield, who had to get there the hard way, facing some absolute stars of this Colts competition.
So, to the final, and what a final it was, St Peter’s took a 5-0 lead within seconds of kick off, but Millfield levelled and then converted for the lead midway through the half. Already the tension was bubbling.
St Peter’s only added to it when they scored right on the stroke of half time for a 10-7 lead, but already it was clear that this was a Colts final of the highest quality, mistakes were at an absolute premium.
St Peter’s extended their advantage to 15-7 early in the second half, but again Millfield struck back, this game was on a knife edge. At 1512 with a couple of minutes on the clock, it was anyone’s game still. Millfield had the ball, and among the St Peter’s support there was almost a sense of dread as the patience and ball skill shown by Millfield became mesmerising. However equally patient was this outstanding St Peter’s defence. No matter how often Millfield pushed and probed, St Peter’s were resolute, and when the opportunity to make the tackle came, they made it and then were ferocious on the deck.
It worked a treat, eventually they forced the turnover and all that was left was to kick the ball out. It was heartbreaking for Millfield, over two days they had worked so hard and had been outstanding in the final, as they had been all tournament.
Ultimately though this special group of St Peter’s York players just had a little too much. In both attack and defence, they were spectacular and, in the final, their clinical edge in when they scored and how they defended proved the difference.
It marks a proud day for St Peter’s, their first Rosslyn Park title and won in style across the two days. Across both Wednesday and Thursday conversations about this St Peter’s York team could be heard. When even the neutrals are talking about you, you know you are doing something special.
BOYS’ RUGBY RESULTS 2018
DATE OPPOSITION 1ST XI 2ND XI 3RD XI U16A U16B U15A U15B U14A U14B
08/09/18 Woodhouse Grove L32-15 L10-0 - W28-7 L38-14 W42-0 - W50-0 W50-0
08/09/18 St Luke’s, Buenos Aires - - W24-5 - - - - - -
12/09/18 Prince Henry’s, Otley - - - - - - - L27-10 -
15/09/18 Worksop College W36-12 - W24-14 W57-12 - - W7-0 - W24-5
15/09/18 Ampleforth - W54-0 - - L19-12 - W50-0 - -
22/09/18 Durham L19-17 W 39-7 - W 46-12 - W42-0 - W50-0 -
22/09/18 Scarborough College - - W38-31 - - - - - L49-0
26/09/18 Durham - - - - W26-17 - L45-29 - L42-35
03/10/18 Prince Henry's, Otley - L19-12 - - - - - - -
06/10/18 QEGS W26-5 W55-17 - W42-24 - L22-5 L24-5 W45-5 L15-0
06/10/18 Ampleforth - - W29-0 - - - - - -
10/10/18 Durham W10-3 - - - - - - - -
13/10/18 Sedbergh L38-14 L28-0 W29-14 D36-36 L34-17 W10-8 L19-5 L39-7 L31-0
17/10/18 John Fisher
W55-5
10/11/18 RGS Newcastle L36-3 W40-31 - W35-34 - W54-7 - W52-17 W17-12
10/11/18 Ampleforth -
- - W27-10 - - - -
14/11/19 Barnard Castle - - - L25-17 - - - - -
17/11/18 Barnard Castle W 19-14 W29-5 - - - W60-19 W40-19 W48-19 W42-5
17/11/18 RGS Newcastle - - W15-12 - - - - - -
21/11/18 Pocklington - - - - - L14-10 - - -
1/12/18 GSAL L8-0 W26-7 - L8-7 W26-5 W5-0 W50-0 W45-17 W24-15
1/12/18 Ampleforth - - W19-17 - - - - - -
8/12/18 Pocklington W31-10 W30-5 - W25-17 - W24-5 W45-0 W51-0 W28-0
8/12/18 Sedbergh - - W16-8 - L30-5 - - - -
