Aluredian
61
Rugby
1st XV
by Nick
Gresswell
T
his was a tremendous season,
possibly one of the best in
recent memory at 1st XV level.
The squad had fantastic
strength in depth and there was
real competition for places, but
the loss of Quin Taylor before a ball was passed in
anger was a real blow. Nerves and individual
expectation showed in early matches and both the
games against Canford and Clifton early in the
season were typified by silly errors and a lack of
team cohesion. Tom Halliday scored twice
against Canford and Charlie Clyde-Smith scored
robustly from the half-way line against Clifton.
In our first ever fixture against Plymouth College,
territory and possession were dominated,
enabling Clyde-Smith to score an unprecedented
four tries, whilst Sam Warren in his first start
since converting to wing touched down for two.
The squad played some of its best rugby midseason,
winning impressively against a physical
Blundell's side, with stout defence most notably
from Ed Dawson. The reverse of last year's loss
to King's, Worcester was most pleasing, in a
faultless display of breathless attacking vigour,
looking to keep the ball alive at every opportunity.
In one of the most outstanding games of
schoolboy rugby King's almost took Millfield with
a phenomenal display of passion, commitment
and edge. Will Webster and Pete Hale ruled the
lineout on the circuit, and their terrific
understanding secured a huge amount of firstphase
possession. Their contribution around the
field was muscular and direct to match the work
of Tom Danaher, Will Sharp and Doug Love who
were all magnificent both at set-piece and in
open play. Henry Cunningham at scrum-half was
tireless in defence, and showed real grit, as he
did all season. Ultimately we were undone by a
penalty and a very sharp backs move to lose 0-8.
Wins over Richard Huish College and Yeovil
College in the Daily Mail Under 18 Cup set up a
third-round clash with Downside. In a
disappointing turn of events Downside conceded
the match and we progressed to the fourth
round with a walkover. Against Exeter College a
serious head injury deprived us of skipper
McKegney at half-time, but Charlie Marr stepped
up from the bench to perform admirably, kicking
the winning conversion after a brilliant line from
Danaher had slashed the defence.
Wins against Monmouth, King Edward's, Bath
and Taunton School saw Callum Stonier
producing immense defensive efforts and
penetrating attacking play. Isaac Jay was
physical and always guaranteed turnover ball at
the breakdown, Sharp grew ever more
confident and scrummaged magnificently, as
well as making telling defensive hits, and Ed
Nash was always threatening on the wing and
his footwork and pace troubled many defences.
Truro College in the fifth round of the Daily
Mail Cup was a game of contrasting styles, a
physically superior Truro side against the total
rugby of King's. After a blistering opening ten
minutes that included a great score by full-back
Jos Buttler, the Truro pack took control, but
sheer guts and determination brought the final
margin to just seven points.
The last game of the season against Bruton was
memorable for King's playing simply brilliant
rugby in dreadful conditions. Ed Walker, who
played so well whenever asked, scored the most
wonderful try after some of the best build-up
play to finish the season with a 31-0 win.
Huge congratulations and many thanks also to
Max Barnes Yallowley, Ollie Davies, Charlie
Close, Henry Potter, Chris Morris, Harry
Brimacombe, Josh Isaacs, Max Harvey, Matt
Bray, Ben de Figueiredo and Grant Little who
made fantastic contributions to the squad
throughout the season. This is a great group of
players, and it has been an absolute privilege
to work with them.
Callum Stonier carries the
attack to Exeter College in
the Daily Mail Cup