Rugby Ready

In the week preceding the start of term our rugby players threw themselves into pre-season training to prepare for a term of competitive matches. Our senior squad took part in a residential camp, the U15s had two afternoons of training before heading to the South Coast Kings tournament, while our U13s were lucky enough to have their training at the home of England Rugby, Twickenham Stadium.

The U13 team led by Mr Paul Jones spent a memorable session on the pitch scoring lots of tries and taking turns to kick for goals. The players had an authentic experience: getting changed in the away changing room and running out of the tunnel cheered on by friends and family! The opportunity came to the team through Old Viking and member of Henley Hawks Rugby Club, Max Tilney.

Mr Jones commented: “We are very grateful to Henley Hawks for the opportunity to train on the Twickenham pitch. Our U13 players enjoyed a fantastic experience and what a wonderful way for us to start our new season!"  

For our 45 senior players from Years 11 to 13, it was a pre-season camp with Mr Beckett, Mr Armstrong and Mr Dix at Shiplake to prepare physically and mentally for the season ahead. During the two day residential camp the players got to know each other and set some goals as a group for the season ahead. First up was fitness testing and the dreaded Bronco test with H Batchelor scoring an impressive 4min 36sec. Ian Brown of Bespoke Conditioning who manages our strength and conditioning provision at the College, looked at fundamental movement patterns and worked on sprint techniques of the players on Wednesday and Thursday. Having the players for an extended period of time allowed coaches to work on the technical and tactical aspects. The players finished off each day with some pool recovery, and the inevitable modified game of bulldog in the swimming pool!

Captain J Walne said: "It has been really good to see the integration of Y11 and new Y12 into the senior squads. Whilst it was unfortunate a number of teams at the St Alban's festival were unable to field sides or matches were shortened, the boys played some excellent rugby and gained some match fitness. I am really excited about the season ahead and it is a privilege to captain the rugby club this year."

The U15s attended two afternoons of pre-season training with Mr Nel and Mr Miller, before heading to the South Coast Kings Tournament held at Kind Edward VI School (Southampton). The squad, after a successful U14 season, were full of confidence and ideas on how the season may pan out. Their first challenge was Whitchurch High School (Cardiff), the largest school in Wales (2400 pupils) famed for producing sports stars such as Gareth Bale, Geraint Thomas and Sam Warburton. The match was a closely fought contest and finished a draw at 7-7. Wins in the final 3 matches of the group against Bishop's Wordsworth, Prior Park and hosts Kind Edward VI sent Shiplake through to the semi-finals of the South Coast Kings U15 Trophy, where they faced a strong Hampton Side with the U15s controlling the game well to win 12-7. Unsurprisingly Shiplake found themselves in the final against Whitchurch High School, for a rematch of the draw earlier on in the day. After a very evenly matched contest, Whitchurch managed to win 12-7 much to the disappointment of the U15 side. Huge promise was shown by the group and if this is the starting point, the season is looking promising for the U15 A, B and C teams. Next up is Windsor Boys' School on Saturday 7th September.