rugby 1st XV Rugby
Toby Wilkinson Upper Sixth Played: 13, Won: 6, Drew: 1, Lost: 6
I
t is astonishing how a season of six wins and one draw from thirteen fixtures could feel like a season with far more victories. As a squad we travelled the width and breadth of South East England claiming high scoring victories against tough oppositions in Sevenoaks, St Lawrence, Duke of York’s, and King’s Rochester. It was, however, the match that took place on 20th of September 2014 that will long be remembered as a special day for the Sutton Valence 1st XV rugby team. A squad of only 16 players, a Head Coach and a faithful Water Boy travelled to the highly prestigious Eastbourne College, united by one common goal - the scalps of our strongest opponents of the season. Needless to say selfless acts of courage and Suttonian valour shone through on this day (Tom Mitchell even attempted a chip and chase that surprisingly worked!). An emphatic victory of 29-0 saw the team produce the performance of the season. This outstanding result highlighted the fantastic team spirit and determination to play for each other that has been evident all season. Wingers Tim Cain and Ollie Williams battled on for the top try scoring record, only for Tim to win nine tries to eight. The fact that both wingers scored so many tries this season is a reflection of the fast, expansive and exciting rugby which the team played. This would not have been possible without strong performances up front from Gregor Roberts, James Turner, Charlie Ellis and Emil Evans, aided by the distribution skills of Jack Mortley and player of the season Tom Lennard. It’s been a fantastic season; tremendous thanks go to Mr Howell and everyone who played for or supported the squad. Captain: Toby Wilkinson, George Holmes, Lewis Croke, Emil Evans, Charlie Ellis, Robert Miles, James Turner, Nicholas Wright, Thomas Mitchell, Samuel Noss, Guy Backhouse, Patrick Backhouse, Jack Mortley, Toby Wilkinson, Stuart Boltman, Timothy Cain, Oliver Williams, Angus Weir, Tom Agu-Benson, Tom Lennard, Henry Sparrow. Page 88
1st XV Rugby
2nd XV Rugby
Oliver Aucamp Upper Sixth Won: 3, Lost: 5, Drew: 1
T
he class of 2014/15 2nd XV had an eventful season, enjoying both the triumphs of victory, the despair of defeat, as well as the mixed emotion of a rather bizarre 7-7 stalemate against Coopers’ Coburn. The season commenced in fine fashion with a convincing victory over our Duke of York foe 43-5. Strong possession and a flowing backs game, coupled with a display of raw power from our eager forwards enabled try after try. However, victory was unfortunately followed by defeat with two mixed performances at Caterham School and Eastbourne College. However, in typical 2nd team style, the team bounced back from a rout over rivals Sevenoaks in a 38-14 thrilling victory, in which special mention must go to our back line, with Alex Kidd achieving length in the pitch runs. This victory was followed unfortunately by a string of defeats and the previously mentioned bizarre 7-7 draw against Coopers’ Coburn. Even though the team had near 80% possession and spent the entire second half camped within the opposition’s 22, the victory could not be converted. With the final game of the season looming the team brought their finest hour. It was an emotional day for many of the leaving Upper Sixth Formers who realised this match against Colfe’s would be their last in their Sutton Valence careers. The team played with undoubted passion, highlighted by the flying Brandon Bishop, who with tackle after tackle after tackle putting his body on the line, caused their fly half to enter a state of panic every time he was near. The final try of the game was met with huge celebration, bundling the somewhat emotional Cameron Grabowski, who must also be congratulated, along with Alex Kidd, for being top try scorers on four tries each. The commitment of the team in many ways can be summed up by the injury list: Rory Sommerville: fractured eye socket and concussion; Chris Youngman: concussion; Jezz: shoulder injury and pulled hamstring; Abdullah Adil: ligament damage;
Sushant Gurung: back strain; Josh Craven: back strain; Tom Agu Benson: week long dead leg, and let us not forget the injury prone Ollie Taylor who received a new injury every other game. There are some clear highlights of the season worth mentioning. These include Alex Kidd turning out for a school fixture for the first time in nearly three years. Cameron the ‘drain rat’ Grabowski returning to his favoured right wing after weeks absent at university visits to bombard his way down the wing in typically slippery fashion and score two cracking tries in the process. Callum Waterman’s ‘horrific’ injury, so bad the Coopers’ Coburn game had to be delayed temporarily to allow a car pitch side, it was so ‘horrific’ in fact he was seen at a party just hours later. An honourable mention must also go to Tom Agu-Benson, who game after game put in bone shuddering hit after hit, audible from a great distance. Several have claimed the try of the season but none in such convincing fashion as Rory Sommerville, who found himself on the ball in an adopted wide and unfamiliar position straying from his rucking duties. With 20 metres to the line he still had some work to do. However in his own words he ‘decked’ two Duke of York players ‘wrecking’ them completely before diving across the line. I would like to thank both the whole team, and Mr Farrell and Mr Carr for a great season. Captain: Oliver Aucamp Oliver Taylor, Dan Cliffton, Sushant Gurung, Josh Craven, Rory Sommerville, Chris Youngman, Thomas Bennett, Connor O’Shea, Callum Waterman, Abdullah Adil, Praghat Rana, Harrison Sharpe, Brandon Bishop, Guy Backhouse, Patrick Backhouse, Thomas Agu-Benson, Asbin Ghale, Cameron Grabowski, Alex Kidd, Patrice Veasey, Jeremy Budd, Charlie Avril, Felix Eyers.
The Suttonian