SPORTS REPORTS Sports Reports Rugby 1st XV RUGBY Mays who came on after a long few Our early season success led the team to months of injury to bosh his way over the earn the prestigious Evening Standard ‘Team P W D L Points Points line in a storming run from a quick tap of The Month’ award which was a huge For Against penalty. highlight of the season and a massive 22 20 0 2 613 242 confidence boost going forward. The next trial match against St John’s College Southsea was closely fought all the Our first official game at home was against Squad: Jorel Bajwa, Nick Bluck, Max way although we had improved Caterham. We played well again and in a Bower, Yianni Charalambous, Seb Cox considerably since the previous game and very physical game we came away with a (Captain), Oliver Crabtree, Chris we narrowly won 13-12. Tries came from 27-3 win. Two tries came from flying full Daniels, Philip Earle, Joshua French, Bluck and Charalambous and two penalties back Crabtree and Wilson was again Jamie Graham, Christopher Harvey, were kicked by our star lock (who often impressive kicking five penalties and Peter Hatcher, Edward Hodgson, Peter thinks he is a centre) Peter Hyams. converting one of the tries. Hyams, Nick Jackson, Lewis Main, Olly Mays, Dominic Orchard, Ben Pooley, With the trial games finished and a team Our biggest test of the season was playing Matt Proctor, Ben Reavley, Henry firmly selected, we headed to Emanuel Chislehurst and Sidcup away. We had Swindell (Vice Captain), Simon Taylor School. With tries from Bower and Crabtree, unfortunately sustained injuries to a couple (Senior Professional), Sam Tresadern, a penalty from Hyams, and a late try and of players but knew we had strength in James Trinder, Edward Walton, Jake conversion, the final score was 22-20 in numbers with players who could come up Wilkinson, James Wilson our favour. from the 2nd team. The game was close all the way through, and with each try we The next fixture was at Seaford College. scored, the opposition came back to cancel The team showed great flair in attack and Colours – Full: Nick Bluck, Yianni it out with a try of their own. Unfortunately defended admirably which led to six tries Charalambous, Seb Cox, Peter Hyams, we narrowly lost 24-26 which did not reflect and a final score of 34-0. A great individual Olly Mays, Ben Reavley, Henry Swindell, our performance. A special mention has to piece of skill secured Jake Wilkinson a try Simon Taylor go to the quiet giant, prop Ben Pooley who with the others coming from from Bluck, put in an incredible performance in the Bower, Swindell, Reavley and Crabtree with absence of his propping partner. Tries came Hyams kicking two conversions. Colours – Half: Oliver Crabtree, Peter from Hodgson, Swindell, Pooley and Hatcher, Edward Hodgson, Ben Pooley, The next huge challenge was Sutton Valence Hyams, who also kicked two conversions. Jake Wilkinson away – it had been several years since a Our unbeaten streak was over, but we got Freemen’s 1st XV had won at the Kent straight back to training hard, and a pressure school. We welcomed back James Wilson was lifted, which meant we could start to After returning from the successful tour of from injury and with the Lower 6 boys express ourselves even more. We were New Zealand, the spirits in the camp were leading the charge we came away with a 21-3 determined to bounce back in our next high and everyone was looking forward to win with tries from Harvey and Wilson, game against the extremely hospitable St the season. The determination and effort whose boot also landed two conversions and Dunstan’s College. The game reflected this shown in the pre-season training revealed three penalties. determination with a plethora of tries from that everyone was in the right mindset to The following weekend we played away at Mays, Charalambous, Taylor, Hatcher, continue the success in the domestic Reading Blue Coat. We had really started to Hyams (who also kicked two conversions) season. get used to playing with one another and the and a hat-trick from Crabtree leading to a We began our season with a traditional team spirit and understanding was high. 44-3 win. trial match against that school from This spirit came through in a great showcase This victory took us onto the next game Cobham. There was a good show from the that led to 32-8 win with tries from Orchard, against Dartford Grammar away. The game forwards and in the back play. A highlight Hyams, Cox, Wilkinson and Taylor and an was not our best performance but we came was a cross kick from Swindell which led impressive debut performance from Jamie away with a 13-5 win, with tries from to a try from Crabtree showing that the Graham at full back. Wilson’s boot also Crabtree and Mays and a penalty from vice team had flair. There were also tries from helped secure the victory with a penalty and captain Swindell. Cox and Harvey, and the man mountain two conversions. 100 ASHTEADIAN MAGAZINE 2010-2011 S P O R T S R E P O R T S After Christmas we played Wallington at Although this hurt the team, we knew we Richmond. However, we engaged in our home, who put a strong team out every had to bounce back for our final game best performance yet. The highlight of the year and was never going to be an easy against Reigate Grammar. match was a characteristic Tresadern skip match. In a close fought match we secured and run through a baffled Richmond We had the pleasure of playing Reigate on a another victory with a final score of 14-10 defence. In the semi-final against RGS floodlit pitch at Sutton and Epsom, which thanks to a try from Hyams and three Guildford fatigue took its toll and we was a great opportunity for the team. After a penalties from Wilson. narrowly missed the opportunity of a final. focused and emotional hour of preparation The following weekend we were away at and motivation from Mr Moore, we were The Nationals at Rosslyn Park marked the Glyn. We dominated and they could not ready to go. We exploded into action and last day the Upper 6 would play in keep up with our pace and intensity. Glyn used our set moves and pace in the backs to chequered red and blue, therefore it never looked like scoring and we managed out manoeuvre the opposition and our promised to live up to its epic reputation. to secure our largest win of the season – power in the forwards to dominate the The day kicked off against the Welsh team, 72-0, including hat-tricks from Cox and contact situation. Our efforts for the whole Bassaleg. We had all guns blazing, each Reavley as well as two tries from Swindell, season were rewarded with a 36-11 win attack led intuitively by James Wilson. and tries from Hodgson, Taylor and which was a very enjoyable last memory for Taylor also showed off his consistent talent Jackson. Wilson kicked five conversions the Upper 6 leavers. and made many breaks, unfortunately and a penalty with Hyams kicking two failing to finish the majority on account of SEVENS further conversions. his characteristic ‘Moon-Walker’ running On 6th March, we were at the Reigate style. Two further wins followed making it We next played London Oratory at home sevens. Unfortunately, John Fisher School three wins out of three. However Judd and again put in a solid performance where was the better team on the day and qualified played an admirable brand of rugby which we were in control for the majority of the for the main tournament. Nonetheless, meant we came out second in the group. game. Our maul was a real strength in the having won our other two games we Overall, we achieved a plus 46 points side and led to two tries from Mays. Good qualified for the plate quarter-final but lost difference which is to be commended. work at the breakdown set up a good to Tonbridge. platform for Jackson, Bluck and Swindell to The team’s performances were gladly also cross the white wash and three The Surrey Schools tournament took place received by a loyal party of parents who conversions from Wilson. This resulted in a on 23rd March. In the first fixture we hit a attended every game and never failed to final score of 33-7 to us. relentless rhythm against Eltham College. In outnumber the opposition’s supporters. A the second match the boys gave St Joseph’s a special mention should go to the Hyams’ We then had a real treat in playing St run for their reputation right up to the final supporting party who never shy from their George’s Weybridge. The atmosphere in the whistle until their international scrum-half trademark “Go on Petee”. Finally, I must changing room before the game was electric. found a rare gap in the last play. Nick Bluck thank Mr Moore and Mr Deighton, both of Everyone was determined to put in a good and Philip Earle deserve special mention for whom contribute valuable time into a very performance against one of the best sides their considerable efforts in the match. The closely knit team atmosphere. Mr Moore’s around. The whole team was completely group’s conclusion saw us again face up to commitment and popularity within the team committed to winning the game.