FIVES

Squad

Captains: H. Barton-Smith (C), C. Tate (M)

Seniors: C. Allen (A), T. Bowman (M),

L. Campbell (N), A. Hidderley (C),

M. Gray (F), S. Gunn (L), R. Holdcroft (P),

J. Ikin (L), R. Ram (A), C. Thompson (P),

A. Webb (P), O. Webster (N),

B. Weston (L)

Under 15s: E. Brough (S),

S. Derby (M), A. Edwards (F),

Z. Garner (P), I. Hambleton (F),

B. Hansen-Hoare (F), C. Hill (C),

S. Karim (P), H. Lees (G),

Z. March Phillipps De Lisle (L),

B. Parkin (S), J. Saunders (C),

M. Shteinberg (C), C. Turton (A),

L. Vacher Peña (F)

Under 14s: E. Anderson (O),

T. Gilbody (N), R. Hagen (N),

I. Mayman (F), A. Metcalf (F),

W. Needler (N), A. Pitts (P),

B. Reid (P), B. Stannard (M),

L. Temple (F), J. Vaartjes (F),

E. Whitfield (N)

Fives continues to grow at Repton and the arrival of KH has further boosted opportunities and expertise and been crucial to this. We are lucky to have one of the premier playercoaches in the country on the staff, and it has been heartening to see the pupils recognising this and engaging enthusiastically. The following would not have been possible without their Reptonian willingness to give things a go. To demonstrate the strides forward, some statistics are as good a vehicle as any. With Fives usually, but not exclusively, a sport done on top of regular sports options, 80 students (and at least one from each house) have come down to afternoon training sessions which are open to all. This has paved the way for 42 pupils to represent the School across 22 fixtures over the two terms, and some frequently so. Celia A has put up the biggest numbers with 64 sessions attended and 11 fixtures played across two terms, and it is no surprise that she has become a very capable player indeed.

In the Michaelmas Term, after enjoyable fixtures with OREFC, Shrewsbury and Uppingham, the highlights were trips to Charterhouse and Eton for the Vargas Salver, Black Cup and the Graham Turnbull Trophy. The Vargas Salver saw the Repton team of six finish 4th of six and progress well. The first ever Repton entry to the Black Cup, a ladies team competition, saw eight Reptonians head south to play with and against ladies and school teams from around the country. There were notable wins against the novices from Cambridge and Oxford Universities and a Plate Final triumph over Shrewsbury’s 2nd team. In December the Graham Turnbull Trophy provided another good day for ten Repton pairs in a competition for pairings of one current and one former pupil or member of staff. Henry B-H and CEP made an impression on the main competition, reaching the Quarter Final having played some fine fives in their Last-16 match. Other pairings enjoyed the day and competed in various plates, with Rob H, Charlie T and their partners picking up a Plate win, as did Claudia T and her partner KH!

In Lent fixtures were arranged with Midlands Schools and we hope that they start to build their programmes too. Oakham, Wrekin, Wolverhampton Grammar and Burford were visited or welcomed to Repton with positive results. Two more excellent fixtures with Shrewsbury resulted in tight matches too. This all paved the way for some Repton pairings entering National Schools competitions. The highlight in these competitions was the U15 pairing of Brianna H-H and Hattie L who performed brilliantly to reach the Semi-Final of their competition before succumbing to the eventual winners from Highgate. This was the first time that a Reptonian pairing has made it to this stage of a national competition since 1981 and they are a pair who have committed wholeheartedly to training and fixtures and have lots of potential for the future.

In House Fives Cross won the boys’ competitions with a challenge from Priory overcome in both events, whilst the girls’ competitions were won comfortably by Field House (Junior) and Mitre (Senior). In all, a tremendously rewarding season was had and the future looks bright with lots of juniors taking up the game. DAE

P7 W1 D0 L6 F61 A213

Squad

Captain: E. Pass (L)

O. Birmingham (P), J. Butler (N), L. Campbell (N), H. Cooke (N), J. Davies (C), R. Fitzgerald (N),

O. Goode (S), N. MacKinnon (O), D. Obi (S), D. O’Brien (S),

A. Ramsbottom (L), R. Tobin (P), M. Whittingham (O), H. Xie (O)

Repton’s first foray into the world of Rugby 7s has been a steep learning curve but a challenge that the boys have met head on. The North of England Tournament was a positive experience that culminated in a win against Queen Ethelburga’s and a narrow loss against Calday Grange Grammar in the Bowl Quarter-Final.

All of this was practice for the season finale at Rosslyn Park (the biggest 7s tournament in the world). It was a tough day as we were not at our best, but the final game of the tournament involved a close loss to The Grange School, Northwich, on one of the main pitches.