Boys' Rugby v Hockerill Anglo European School and Bishop’s Stortford College

v Hockerill Anglo European School

1st XV Won 64 - 17
This was an impressive win and, at times, we played some delightful, expansive rugby where the ball moved freely through the hands, we kept the ball alive and scored some sensational tries. We also made silly errors and put ourselves under pressure for no reason and this is the area we still need to work on. When we go forward with intention we are very difficult to stop but defensively we are still weak in the tackle. The scrimmaging and rucking were strong and we do carry the ball well but only our very best will do on Wednesday.

2nd XV Won 57 - 0
A very comfortable win. We controlled the game from start to finish, with a great team performance.

3rd XV Won 12 - 0
The first ever visit of Hockerill School meant that the 3rds took on their best fifteen year 7 players yet again and we knew from the previous game that this would be a test of our progress. The boys did not disappoint tough task master Mr Manson as they produced their finest display to date. Handling was secure, they looked out wide for space, they seldom lost a ruck and boy did they tackle! It wasn't easy and it took close to 20 minutes for the first score, a fine effort by Freddie Beecroft (hastily drafted in at the last minute from the 4thXV). Indeed it wasn't until a similar time in the second half that the quick thinking play of Oscar Mohan allowed him to score near the posts and make the win definite. Felix Webster adding the conversion for a 12-0 win. A confidence boosting win before the away match at Stortford College. Too many great performances to single anyone out this week - 16 men of the match!

4th XV Won 44 - 0
The team started positively, yet again, taking the ball effectively into the contact area and helping set up clean phase ball. A few strong runs by the forwards helped us get into their twenty-two early on and the resulting persistent pressure carried us over for our first try. Being a try up early and for the first time this season ahead in a match, the boys lifted their game. On defence there were hard, low tackles and strong counter rucking which meant we retained quite a lot of possession. For the most part, we managed to convert the turnovers into try scoring opportunities. A few more quality team tries meant we went into the half 20-0 up. However after the break, the team did start to get greedy and the old 'white line fever' kicked in. We started to lose a bit of our shape and a quick reminder to the boys changed their attitude back to how they were playing at the start. What followed was some lovely 'team tries' with the ball moving through 8-9 pairs of hands before going over the try line. The final score saw 7 different players scoring tries, showing the team effort the boys gave. Although this match was against a young and inexperienced side the structure and style of play by the team brings a lot of positives going into Bishop’s Stortford on Wednesday. The win brought some much needed confidence to the team and hlped to boost them for the big match on Wednesday.



v Bishop’s Stortford College

1st XV Won 17 - 7
This was a titanic battle between two unbeaten sides where someone’s perfect record was going to be broken, and if ever there was a performance that showed how much it means to wear a 1st XV shirt this was it; quite simply the boys were awesome! Despite the awful conditions we continued to try and play open, expansive rugby but we had the forwards to thank for two unanswered tries in the first 20 minutes as our strength up front began to tell. Just before half time however we failed to hold our defensive formation and they scored under the posts; 12 - 7 up at half time meant we were in for a cracking second half. It did not disappoint and the boys kept their nerve and kept applying pressure. We crossed the line twice but failed to score as we knocked it on and were held up but we definitely had the momentum. Having said that Bishop’s Stortford College were defending heroically and did look dangerous on the break. Finally, with about three minutes to go we recycled another ball and spun it wide to find Harry S on the wing who ran it in from the half way! This was a game we deserved to win: we out-scrimmaged them, counter rucked brilliantly, defended superbly and played with ambition. Well done all the players on an epic win!

Toby K scored one conversion and our tries were scored by Gregoire I, Harry S and James C, who was voted the players’ man of the match. For me all 16 players deserve the same accolade and Ollie Stonham should be a very proud 1st XV Captain.

As always thank you to our loyal parental fan base who braved the elements to come along and cheer the team on.

2nd XV Lost 7 - 10
A very close contest. Felsted went 10-0 down at half time but came back strongly in the second half, scoring a converted try in the final minute; just not enough time left to come back.

3td XV Lost 10 - 19
We knew after beating Hockerill U12As that this would be a much stiffer test and so it proved. Conditions were awful which made handling trickier but it was nip and tuck for 15 minutes with us looking the side likelier to score. However their winger had other ideas and ran in 3 quick tries before half-time with two being converted: 19-0 at the half. After a typical 'Fergie like' team talk from Mr M the change was evident with Silas T-J and then Freddie M dotting down. 19-10 with 4 minutes to go - unfortunately we had given them too much of a start and that's how it finished. Credit to the boys for the fight back but we must start better. Great to see Alex Findlay playing after a long injury and Ossie Mohan losing a molar (baby!) and carrying on.

4th XV Lost 0 - 35
Off the kickoff we chased down the ball very calmly and then after the first ruck seemed to 'forget' that we need to spread out and make tackles on defence. Playing on the 1st XV pitch meant that there was lots of space and in the first minute a quick ball to their winger, a slipped tackle on the wing and off he went. What made the situation worse was off the next kickoff it happened again and a few more slipped tackles meant that within the first 5 minutes we were 10-0 down. Finally, the boys started to wake up and get into the game. What ensued was some great rugby and showed what the team is capable of. A strong run by Jordan Guerrero and it seemed we had pulled a try back but instead of diving in the corner he tried to place it down and got tackled out! Unfortunately, that was our best chance of scoring the whole game. A late try to Bishops Stortford meant that at halftime we were 0-17 down. The boys knew that they were still very much in the game and showed some lovely positive play. The team were more spread out on defence, making loads of strong tackles and showing good attacking play. However, in such a wet game we still tried to throw the ball out of contact and the loose thrown ball hurt some of the continuity we produced. We had glimmers of try scoring chances but ultimately Stortford took the game out of our hands in the last ten minutes and ran away with three quick tries. In the end, a harsh score but it really cost us that we decided only to play for the middle 20-25 mintues of the game. We should have really been neck and neck with them throughout the game but it just shows that in rugby you have to be switched on for the full game especially in a rivalry match where the opposition are going to make you pay for complacency. All in all, the team played superbly during that 25 minute period and have come on leaps and bounds since that first game. The lads just need to work on protecting the ball in contacting and organisation. Man of that match has to go to George H who ran hard and powerfully with the ball on the wing often taking us forward and for making some crucial one on one tackles.

U11 A Won 21 - 0
You could tell from the outset that the boys were not going to give this one up lightly. Having lost narrowly to the College a couple of weeks ago at the New Hall Tournament, they were really out for revenge. They took it to Stortford right from the kick off and put them under relentless pressure. Despite the weather, the support work and the handling was very good and we put on a very impressive display. Every time the opposition got the ball we were on them and forcing them to make mistakes. In the first half we really had the run of play and they were rarely in our half. We scored two good tries and went into half time deservedly ahead. However, Stortford came out fighting in the second half. The second half was a little more evenly balanced, but we still put the pressure on them. The boys were everywhere and again the support play and handling was awesome and we went over for another deserved try. The boys managed to keep up the momentum right until the final whistle and we had won 21-0. This is to take nothing away from the Stortford side who are a very talented team and put everything in themselves. However, they were no match for us on the day and what a day for it all to come together.


I usually do not mention individuals because I believe rugby is a team game and I now find myself having to mention every individual because every single one of them played their socks off. Names of the team are: Knight, Faulkner, Oluwabusola, Burton, Barkman, Wootton, Summers, Baker, Gallian, Prideaux, Atkinson, Clifton, Latham, Moule. However, we did make a few mistakes; we missed a few tackles and gave away a few too many penalties so we still have something to work on. Thanks to the parents for their cheering on the touchline; one would think we had been the home team.


U11 B Lost 0 - 21
The game for most of the time was evenly matched. The forwards played with great heart and won a lot of ball, particularly showing good scrimmaging technique. The backs seemed to lack a little confidence to really open up their legs and exploit the wide pitch. However our opponents were a little quicker to the loose ball having kicked and chased a few times and hence our defence was stretched.

U11 C Lost 0 - 15
A very wet and cold day which did not make the atmosphere very relaxed or pleasant to watch a very good quality game of rugby by the C team. All the players showed grit and determination especially at the start of each half when BSC came at us hard and fast. BSC scored early in both halves which made life difficult. They always had the upper hand in the first half but we managed to tackle hard and ruck with enthusiasm in the second half. Archie (Man of the Match) almost scored from a fast and strong run but was tackled by the best tackle I have seen at this level. After much hard work and a good standard of rugby the C team lost to a better side.

U11 D Lost 5 - 28
Despite the score-line, this was a good, well-fought match. We took a while to get into the game, though, allowing Stortford to score three tries in the first half. However the second half was even, with a try apiece, and we dominated much of the play. Great progress from the boys, many of whom did themselves proud.
Team: R. Brindley, M. Regan, T. Conlon, T. Cantle, A. Wilkins, J. Grove-Smith, L. Stewart, A. Chapman, M. Raeburn

Boys' Rugby v Bishop's Stortford High School & Wisbech

1st XV Won  38 - 6

Tries from Harry Sturge, Gregoire Imber, Peter Hipkin and Max McIlvenna (on debut), alongside 4 conversions from Toby King, saw the Firsts comfortably defeat Bishops Stortford High School. The boys were ambitious in their play and tried hard to keep the ball alive but there were far too many basic errors and poor decisions made at crucial times. We will need to sharpen up our act if we are to improve next week. There is no doubt the potential is there and at times we looked sharp and exciting to watch, but training this week will concentrate on the basics.

2nd XV Won 17 - 10

Felsted went 17-5 up in the first half with tries from Robert Hadley (2) and Monty Jenkins, and a conversion by George McKelvey. The forwards kept winning good ball which was backed up with fine handling from the backs. BSHS came back at us in the second half scoring a try quickly. A lot of defending from Felsted secured a very good win. Great play from an improving team.

3rd XV Lost 25 - 0
This match saw us up against the Bishops Stortford High School's under 12 As and we knew that it would be a tough assignment and indeed it panned out that way. However, despite losing 25-0, I was immensely proud of the improvements the boys have made. They were much more willing to tackle and compete in the contact areas. Every one of the Stortford tries was scored in the corner meaning that we didn't allow them to easily run through us. Some work on our defensive organisation and getting quicker reactions in support of our runners will be our focus in training. Too many handling errors also cost us any forward momentum! Man of the match went to Dom Dixon for his strong running when given the chance and his general physicality in contact.

4th XV Lost 5 - 29

The team started the game positively taking the ball up well and creating some good phase play, but a loose ball around the ruck and a slipped tackle on the wing meant BSHS opened the scoring in the first 5 minutes. The boys knew that it was still early on in the game and camped in Stortford's half for a good ten minutes before some lovely hands down the line saw us touch down for a try. At 5 - 5  it was anyone's game and the boys kept tackling hard and trying to get the upper hand. A late try in the half meant Stortford went into half time 10-5 up. Reminded that they were only a try down, we started strongly and the aggression shown was a step up from our previous game. After staying in the game for the most part of the game it started to get away from us. A few missed tackles, thrown away loose ball and one or two injuries meant that Stortford took the game out of our hands. A penalty try for a high tackle in the last minute sealed the game. Final score 5-29 to BSHS.  A much improved performance with a few players in the side really standing up and getting involved in the match. The team showed better tackling and ball play, however there is still much to work on and with the positive attitude of the players they can only improve.

1st XV v Wisbech Won 55 - 12

A convincing win is always pleasing, but more pleasing, this week was the level of performance achieved by the squad. We knew the opposition would be weaker than us so we extended our squad and were able to field 5 new players during the game (Bertie Webster, Owen Thomas, George McKelvey, Josh Bird and Monty Jenkins). We also saw Harry Beaton-Brown and James Austin make their full debuts for the 1st XV. This meant the full side did not play the whole game but, unlike last week, the side did play some attractive rugby and were able to move the ball through the hands to great effect. We still insist on putting ourselves under pressure from kick-offs and this is an area in which we need to improve. Overall though there were flashes of brilliance and the potential is definitely there.

Tries were scored by Harry Sturge, Gregoire Imber, Peter Hipkin, Robbie MacLennan and Ollie Butler with conversions added by Toby King.

2nd XV v Wisbech Won 58 - 0

This was a comfortable win for the 2nd team with tries being scored from all areas of the pitch as our pace, power and skill level was too much for the opposition. In the end we brought on plenty of subs and switched players around and slightly lost our shape as a result but overall this was a really pleasing performance with plenty of open, attacking rugby being played.

U11 A v Wisbech Lost 12-21

Today was a real challenge for the boys. It was a long coach journey and then they had to play a very tough and tenacious team. Wisbech were well drilled and very fast around the pitch. Their forwards were particularly effective in the ruck and the loose. However, we started slowly and let them run at us which led to them scoring two tries in the first half. However, we regained our composure and started to put together some really good passages of play. Our backs had the beating of theirs and had they got the ball more, it would have been a different story, as our two tries suggest. Unfortunately basic errors lead to a number of silly penalties which made life hard for ourselves. I cannot fault the efforts of our boys, they really gave their all and we just need to make sure that our efforts are directed in the right way next time; at the end of the day this has been a valuable learning experience.

U11B v Wisbech Won 52 - 0

Tries T Summers 2 and 1 con, E Hoare, R Hadley 2, J Owalabusola 3, L Squibb, C Wallace

The team played fast and aggressively against a side that found tackling quite hard. The forwards won a lot of ball at set piece and were able to set up the backs with a good deal of possession in which they moved the ball through the hands well creating space out wide. There was a little bit too much individualistic play at times and if we had drawn the defender and passed the ball a little more then it would have been an exemplary overall team performance.