Rugby Bicentenary Match Reports

This week SPS hosted a week of celebrations to mark the Rugby Bicentenary. Please see below for the match reports.

U14 A Team

Rugby School v St Paul’s School: 26 – 38

After a long bus journey, the boys were happy to be in the place where it all started for Rugby Union. After a slow start, the team fought back valiantly to go into halftime 14-5 down. The halftime talk did the business as the players came out with new vigour, scoring just after the break putting the pressure on our Rugby School opponents. A brace from Shorta, Luke and Zac put the team three scores ahead, with no way back for  Rugby School. Final score 38-26 to SPS. A superb finish to the half-term, and we are already looking forward to what lies ahead after the break.

Mr Vann Vuuren

U15 A Team

Rugby School v St Paul’s School: 32 – 28

The U15AXV were privileged to play in a superb free flowing game on the Close at Rugby – they were well aware that they were playing on the exact ground where Web Ellis first picked up the football and started the magnificent game of Rugby. The occasion and history inspired the boys to play brilliantly and claw back from 21-7 down at half time to edge ahead 28-25 with 2 minutes to play – whilst it was hard for them to lose on the last play, it will certainly live in the boys memory as a fantastic day, a great performance and one that they can be very proud about. Well done to the whole team for their collective effort and to Leon Cool, Noah Malley ( 2 ) and Labeeb Shikder for scoring excellent tries & Arthur Whitaker for converting all of them.

Mr Harrison

U16A Team

Rugby School v St Paul’s School: 33 – 27

The U16A team were fortunate enough to play in a thrilling encounter on the 1st XV pitch at Rugby School. The boys reminded themselves that this opportunity only happens once every 100 years due to the centenary, providing plenty of motivation to perform. St Paul’s lead for a large proportion of the game, but ill discipline allowed Rugby to stay in touching distance of the lead and were efficient at turning pressure into points. Despite scoring some excellent team tries, the powerful midfield of Rugby proved to be too strong and St Paul’s lost a frustrating match; 33-27. I am sure, however, that there were memories made to last a lifetime. There were some fantastic debut performances from St Paul’s pupils, creating a healthy competition for places as we go into the second half of the season.

Mr Vickers