SOTONIENSIS 2016 | 99
U13A Rugby The U13 A team have had a fantastic season. They have been determined to improve not only individually but also as a squad, and this has seen them make huge progress. After a sluggish start, the squad were able to address their tackling issues and learn to play fast paced, organised and expansive rugby. They quickly learned when to attack out wide and when to attack nearer channels and this led them to lose only three matches throughout the season. Captained by James Bristowe, the squad won the respect of many referees through positive play and disciplined performances. I am proud to say that many opposition coaches commended the boys for such a professional display that showed a maturity often missing from older age groups and other sports. Their performances at times also demonstrated structure which is rarely seen at this age level. Led by Tom Henley at scrum half, the boys put good, organised phases of play together; securing the ball through rucks and committing opposition defenders before spinning the ball out wide to finish in style on the wing. The forward pack often dominated rucks and mauls, and Jamie Dunn, Alex Georgiou and Harry Croft-Baker should be proud of consistently putting in game winning performances. Rory Holm should also be given a special mention for taking to the position of fullback like a duck to water, often forcing opposition teams to keep the ball in hand for fear of kicking the ball away for him to counter.
Played: 12 Won: 8 Drew: 1 Lost: 3
However, this was very much a full team effort throughout the season, and every member of the squad should be proud of the contributions and progress that they made. In a season of many strong victories, one performance in particular stands out. Churcher’s College have dismantled teams this year. Their overall points difference is +297 from ten games and they have lost only one game in the two years they have been together. This loss came after a fantastic 15-14 victory at Churcher’s College to the KES U13 A team. The boys showed an intensity and unity that I have never seen at U13 level and even the opposition coach admitted the narrow score line flattered his squad. This performance has set the bench mark for all future games and I look forward to working with the boys next year to see how much further they can continue to push themselves and progress.
Mr Westwater Squad members: Will Brench-Jones, Alex Georgiou, James Bristowe, Jacob Adeniji, Josh Williams, Charlie Harden, Harry Croft-Baker, Jamie Dunn, Tom Henley, Nick DamleyJones, Alex Miles, Sacha Groom, Luke Ward, Soren Golding, Rory Holm, Tom Sutton, Noah Cooper, Jonty Yonge, Cameron Aitken, Samuel Smith and William Jackson.