COLTS A TEAM RUGBY
STAMFORD 9’S TOURNAMENT
WEDNESDAY 17th SEPTEMBER 2014
POOL MATCH SCORES
Stoneygate 10 Copthill 10
Stoneygate 15 St Hughes 15
Stoneygate 30 Wellow House 0
POOL POSITION – SECOND
PLAYOFF FOR 3rd / 4th Place
Stoneygate 0 Stamford 25
FINAL POSITION – FOURTH
Try Scorers: Ed B 3, Olly H 2, Spike M 2, Will M, George H, Kian D, Tom M.
The Colts A Squad consisting of Ed B (captain), Jack U, Hugo F, Kai W, Spike M, Olly H, Karan M, Will McE, Will M, Tom M, George H and Kian D played in the Stamford 9’s Rugby Tournament on the main rugby pitches at Stamford School, on a glorious day for sport.
Each match was 7.5 minutes each way. Once pool positions were decided, after 3 matches, teams then played across to the equivalent positioned team in the other pool – the top ones playing for first place. Stoneygate finished second in their group and thus competed for third and fourth place out of eight schools.
The first match was against a very strong and physical Copthill team. We did not touch the ball for the first three minutes but stout defence kept the opposition to one try. Stoneygate scored twice in the second half only to end up drawing the match by conceding a try with the last play of the match!
The fire was now in their bellies and up next was St Hughs School. Stoneygate lead three tries to one at half time only to let in two in the second half for a three try draw.
The final match saw us play Wellow House who, despite a spirited effort, came up against a Stoneygate team determined to win. We did this with some splendid controlled rugby and we scored six tries to their nil.
Undefeated, we awaited our fate and soon found we were in second place in the pool. Had we not have let Copthill score the try with the last play in the first match we would have played in the final – Copthill had that honour. A lesson learnt the hard way.
Bruised and battered Stoneygate faced up to a very strong home team in Stamford, for the third place. Despite a valiant effort the strength of the opposition was too much and Stoneygate lost five tries to nil and with it finished fourth out of eight schools.
What a truly great afternoon of rugby. Stoneygate played with spirit, learned very quickly from the experience and for a while were undefeated. There were some outstanding performances and not one boy let the side down. George H was given ‘Player of the Day’ award and true sport was played.
A special thanks must go to Mr Palmer, who came along and coached the side with me. Many thanks also go to the parents and supporters who encouraged the boys throughout and to the organisers of the tournament.
Mr Jelly
Stoneygate School 