Radley College Rugby Matches Report

It was a tough day at the office for the SPS Rugby Club on Saturday! In particular the 1st XV who, after losing in the final play of the game last week to Tonbridge, suffered another heart-wrenching defeat away to Radley by 15 – 14, a challenging encounter between two teams matching tackle for tackle from beginning to end. It’s hard to find the words to describe how dejected the team were feeling in defeat post-match, however, with the immensely strong team bond and fantastic work ethic that this great bunch of boys possess they will pick themselves off the floor yet again and come back stronger next week in their home game to RGS Guildford. Of this, I have no doubt! The 2nd and 3rd XV’s also came away empty-handed from Oxford on Saturday but gave a good account of themselves against a school that possesses the strength in depth to field seven senior rugby teams.

I would like to congratulate the U14B and U14E teams who were the only two successful sides on the day in our block fixture against Radley College, so well done to Mr Wishart, Mr Pollock, and Mr Taylor, as well as to their respective teams. However, whilst the scores may indicate that Radley had a very dominant day, it does not truly reflect how well some of the SPS teams played throughout the afternoon. The U16 games were very evenly contested, and had it not been for a successful long-range penalty kick from the opposition to level the game to 8 – 8 in the dying seconds of the game, the U16A team would have made it three wins on the bounce. Nevertheless, according to Mr Vickers, this was the strongest opposition they have faced this term, so a draw was still a very respectable result. Sadly, the B team came up just short again but apparently had an amazing second half to bring the game to within one score.

The U15 teams also endured a difficult afternoon at home against three strong Radley teams, with the B’s coming closest to a victory only to lose out by a single try. The A team played a very strong Radley team and found themselves down by four tries at half-time but greatly improved in the second half to get a score on the board themselves and to concede twice.

Aside from the aforementioned victorious U14B and E teams, the remaining U14 sides also had a challenging afternoon away to Radley, with the U14A team suffering their first defeat of the season to a very physically strong side. However, there were many very competitive games throughout the age group and some were only divided by a single score. 

As always, I would like to thank Dr Fuds Uddin, Nico Kirschstein-Smith, Ryan Blake, the nurses, and HATS Medical for their outstanding professional care, as well as Adam O’Higgins and the grounds staff for their tireless efforts in ensuring the pitches were ready for all matches taking place on Saturday.

Report written by 

Radley College (Home)

U15 A lost 5 – 38

U15 B lost 17 – 22

U15 C lost 52 – 5

U16 A drew 8 – 8

U16 B lost 14 – 19

Radley College (Away)

1st XV lost 15 – 14

2nd XV lost 31 -0

3rd XV lost 50 – 5

U14 A lost 38 – 12

U14 B won 17 – 15

U14 C lost 26 – 5

U14 D lost 35 – 7

U14 E won 12 – 32

U14 F lost 20 – 19

U14 G lost 30 – 25

Report written by Andy Maguire, Head of Rugby