It has been a tremendously successful few months for the College Junior School U13 rugby team. Since losing their third game in the season, they have enjoyed a phenomenal run against tough opposition. Even that defeat, back in October, came from a try which was scored in the very last minute and turned a 15-14 lead into a 15-19 loss. Since that reverse, the U13 squad have won ten matches, conceding points in only two games and scoring an impressive 439 points. The run includes three matches while on tour in Cork in the Republic of Ireland. The overall tally includes 75 tries with left-sided winger Joss Linney contributing an astonishing 21 tries by himself! “However, his success would not have been possible without the hard work of the whole team with number eight Tom Woolstencroft, flanker and captain, George Felgate, second row Jack Kramer and scrum-half Jack Cullen being outstanding throughout,” said the College Junior School’s master in charge of rugby, Sandy Barnard. “This though in no way lessens the efforts of the remainder of the squad, 14 of whom have crossed the try line this term.” The record for the whole season reads played 13, won 12, lost 1, points for 561, points against 50. Mr Barnard added; “Signs of continued success in the future also look promising with the U11A team being unbeaten this season.”

Indeed, it has been an incredible term for the College Junior School sport overall, with 173 hockey and rugby matches having been played from U13 to U8 level and involving A to G teams. The U13A hockey team only suffered one defeat, also, and the 2nd XV rugby team’s remarkable recovery against King’s College, Cambridge from 5-7 down with ten minutes to go to win 36-7 was a fine example of the courage and determination displayed by so many of the College’s young sports players.