1st XV vs Winchester House
A lesson in Rugby at the home of Rugby …….. perhaps the best way to describe this match against a wonderfully talented Winchester House XV.
We knew well in advance that today was going to be tough; playing on an enormous pitch against a team that was clearly a cut above the norm (having trawled the internet for a hint of what to expect from our opponents I was rather nervous when I found out that they had already beaten Spratton Hall (their first loss since 2005) and Abberly Hall and had retained the core of their team form 2007).
They were, indeed, a very well drilled and extremely talented team and I can only offer praise to our opponents for their impressive play and to the S. Anselm's XV for the splendid way in which they competed throughout the afternoon.
7 points to 0 down after just five minutes and 12 points down after ten had the makings of a real drubbing but the XV fought back with genuine vigour and no lack of passion. We won our fair share of possession but struggled to turn this in to points and yet Winchester capitalised on our every mistake to score two more before half time.
The second half was always going to be a tough challenge; with fatigue setting in we were immediately on the back foot and, as if to underline this fact, Winchester crossed twice in the first five minutes after the after the break and added another shortly after when their speedy left winger intercepted a pass and raced in. Once more the flood gates looked as though they had started to open but again the XV weathered the storm and came back into the game. Slowly we built a foundation with the forwards rucking in a determined fashion and the backs making sporadic forays in to the heart of the Winchester defence. Rob and Tom were particularly abrasive; launching countless attacks from the base of the scrum and breakdown and Rob finally crossed the whitewash to register our first points of the day and his third try of the season.
Winchester added a final try in the closing minutes and at the final whistle the score of 5-49 was, in all honesty, a fair reflection of their superiority.
Whilst this was far from a perfect performance (we produced terribly slow ball at the breakdown, failed to get up quickly in defence and lacked depth when on the attack) it represented another big step in the right direction for the S. Anselm's XV. Our rucking has improved from the Sedbergh tour, we showed an enormous amount of passion and we are, at long last, starting play with a degree of structure.
Whilst I was pleased with all who took the field today special mention must go to Ollie N who was selected by Mr. Simon Brown (the referee and Director of Boy's Games) as the S. Anselm's man of the match for his deft work under the high ball and his excellent counter attacking from deep within his own half. He received a rugby ball from Mr. Patrick Derham, Head Master of Rugby School.
Thanks once again to the loyal band of supporters who made the trek down to Warwickshire and to all at Rugby School who made this such a special occasion.
Opponents Result Score Tries
Winchester Lost 5-49 Rob H
RJM 20.09.08
Posted on
Sat, September 20, 2008
by admin