The Bradfordian Issue 353 Autumn 2019 bradfordgrammar.com @bradfordgrammar Sport Reports: Rugby 1st XV Rugby By J Oakes – Teacher of PE I’m delighted to have the opportunity to pass on my thanks to all players involved in the senior squad this season. When reflecting on the year it's easy to focus on some great results the boys managed to produce. However, the score board only tells a small part of the story. The boys began the season almost a year ago, many of them showing great dedication to training and preparation throughout the summer term on tour. It's no secret that performances in September are built on hard work in the off season and this year’s cohort certainly gave themselves the best possible chances of success. This led nicely into what was perhaps the most enjoyable tour I have ever been involved with. Whilst we faced many challenges and incredible opportunities both on and off the field, to their credit, this never phased the players who took everything in their stride, making the most of every aspect of touring. What was evident on this tour more than any other was what a special leadership group we had. Sam, Harry and Tom showed themselves to be leaders on and off the field - a theme which continued through the season. This only reflects the ethos of the Upper Sixth as a whole, who have had a challenging rugby journey through school - this year proves that friendship and dedication trump all other factors in making a successful team. It is my hope that the younger year groups who step into the 1st XV can continue the spirit which has made this year's squad such a pleasure to teach. The young players who have fronted up this season will only get better and I’m sure the pupils can make the future of BGS rugby a bright one. Michigan University football coach Jim Harbaugh once said ‘he could not judge the success of a season until years later, when seeing what type of men his players had become. Would they be outstanding friends, sons, husbands and fathers?’ I can say with absolute confidence that the team of 2018 will do themselves proud in whatever they choose to pursue in life, and it has been my honour to know them. Awards Most Improved - Sacha M Most Improved 2nd XV – Aaron N Effort Award – Luke S Players’ Player – Sam B Coaches’ Player – Harry B Moffat Award (Overall Contribution to BGS Rugby) – Sam M (Captain) Representative Honours Yorkshire U18 - Sam B, Oliver O, Sacha M Yorkshire Carnegie U18 Academy – Oliver O, Sam M Independent School Lambs - Tom H Played Won Drawn Lost Points For Points Against Points Difference Win Ratio 14 8 0 6 231 317 -86 57.1% Date Venue Opponent Result Type 08 Sep Away Ampleforth College Won: 10 - 7 2018 15 Sep 2018 Away Crossley Heath School Won: 24 - 10 22 Sep Away Stonyhurst College Lost: 21 - 22 Friendly 2018 26 Sep Home Stockport Grammar School Won: 48 - 7 National 2018 Cup - Round 1 29 Sep Away Hymers College Lost: 14 - 40 2018 03 Oct Home The King's School, Macclesfield Lost: 3 - 38 National 2018 Cup - Round 2 06 Oct Away Birkdale School Won: 13 - 12 2018 13 Oct 2018 Home The Grammar School at Leeds Lost: 0 - 71 03 Nov Away Pocklington School Lost: 13 - 20 2018 10 Nov Home Giggleswick School Won: 22 - 21 2018 17 Nov Away Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Lost: 12 - 36 2018 (QEGS), Wakefield 24 Nov Away Ashville Harrogate Won: 17 - 9 2018 05 Dec Neutral Prince Henry's Grammar School Cancelled 2018 08 Dec Home Hymers College Won: 15 - 7 Friendly 2018 14 Dec Blackheath Colfe's School Won: 19 - 17 2018 1st VII Rugby By D Scarbrough – Specialist Sports Coach (Rugby) Played Won Drawn Lost Points For Points Against Points Difference 13 10 0 3 235 114 121 It was an outstanding 7s season for a very young 1st team squad, winning 10 out of 13 games, before heading down to the Rosslyn Park National Sevens. Some of the successes included becoming tournament winners at Rydal Penrhos Sevens, bowl winners at Ampleforth Sevens, and runners up at Hymers College Sevens Tournament. Stars of the season were Sam M who captained his men superbly, 'Gas Man’ Sam B for his strong performances, Tom W doing much of the hard, unseen work, the super fit, tough and competitive Alfie W, and the powerful Sacha M. U16 Rugby By D Scarbrough – Specialist Sports Coach (Rugby) Such are the demands of Year 11 at BGS, that sadly there were not enough players to fulfil a regular ‘B’ team. However, 28 players represented the U16’s this year. Mr Scarbrough returned to school after two years away and was excited at the prospect of taking on a small but talented group of players. Five of the boys were regularly playing 1st XV rugby and with Will L (three appearances) often away on representative cricket duty, many fringe players were given an opportunity to show what they could do, whilst new leaders had to step up. The likes of James A, Freddie S and Henry S, all playing more than eight of the nine matches. Captain Oscar A led the team well, with his in-depth knowledge of the game and tactical decision making on the field proving invaluable. Amrit S continued his elusive running, securing nine tries in only eight fixtures. Physical performances from Ed H, Obi E and Freddie R-P regularly got the team good go-forward and created space out wide for the rest of the team. A win rate of 62.5% could have been higher with a better bounce of the ball, particularly against Hymers, who we played twice (28 - 37 and 17 respectively) and Pocklington, where sadly indiscipline got the better of the boy's enthusiasm. The first match and win of the year at Ampleforth (19-12) proved to be a gritty and valuable performance, described by second row Habib S as ‘courageous’, in which the group battled hard to overcome the tough opposition. Monumental wins against GSAL on their new 3G pitch (24-18), Rushworth (43-40) and old rivals QEGS (14-5) were evidence that this group of talented young men were a force to be reckoned with, enjoy each other’s company and enjoy their wins, often singing songs on the bus all the way back to Frizinghall! A number of boys regularly represented the 1st XV, namely: Obi E, Ed H, Alfie W, Lui S and Mbako C. Most of these boys also represented Yorkshire County and Yorkshire Carnegie U16’s (Alfie, Mbako, Ed, Obi, Amrit). This group will no doubt be remembered for their passion and love for the game, and I look forward to seeing them in action with the seniors next year, well done lads! Played Won Drawn Lost Points For Points Against Points Difference 8 5 1 2 186 170 16 Time/Date Venue Opponent Result 08 Sep Away Ampleforth College Won: 19 - 12 2018 22 Sep Away Stonyhurst College Won: 21 - 10 2018 29 Sep Away Hymers College Lost: 28 - 37 2018 13 Oct Away The Grammar School at Leeds Won: 24 - 18 2018 03 Nov Away Pocklington School Lost: 20 - 31 2018 10 Nov Home Rishworth School Won: 43 - 40 2018 17 Nov Away Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Won: 14 - 5 2018 (QEGS), Wakefield 05 Dec Keighley RUFC Prince Henry's Grammar School Cancelled 2018 08 Dec Home Hymers College Draw: 17 - 17 2018 U16 End of Year Awards: Most Improved – Freddie S Coaches’ Effort Award – Josh G Coaches’ Player of the Year – Ed H Players’ Player of the Year – Amrit S U15 Rugby By D Pullen – Rugby Coach The U15s had a very tough season, with a limited squad affected by numerous injuries to key players. Much of the time coaching was focused on developing the basic skills of the squad and helping to instil the right attitudes on and off the pitch. The loss of players to other schools over the previous few years had a serious result on morale, but an opening game against Ampleforth, where they were in with a chance of winning until the final whistle, gave them some early season confidence. Unfortunately, the rest of the results were not as close, and apart from the high scoring win against Birkdale, they were unable to trouble the win column. Much could be taken from the season, however, with the squad staying together and working hard despite the results. A good team rapport developed, despite the losses, and a number of players stood up in very difficult situations, making a significant impact. In the forwards, none worked more tirelessly than Reuben T, whilst Ryan W and Ranvir N became solid forces at prop and often made good contributions in open play. Keir C stepped up to A team rugby as hooker, due to absences and always gave his best. Further back in the pack, Rahul M and Max T formed a solid second row partnership, and in the backrow, Nick M was a consistent asset to the team. Harun M was the star of the show, with his powerful running leading to him becoming top try scorer from number eight. Sufyan K supported regularly from the bench, and when at his best, made a number of impactful performances with his strong running and great technical tackles. Hasan S, Zachi S and Murad P also made numerous contributions to the squad. In the backline, depth was an issue, with various injuries.