1st XV Rugby

RESULTS 2009-2010

1ST 7S IAPS SMALL SCHOOLS RUGBY

Once again this year proved to be a real stern challenge for the boys. Some excellent 7s rugby was displayed by all. The results were as follows:

Pool: v St Peters           Won 14 - 7

         v Mowden Hall      Won 19 - 7

         v Beeston Hall      Won 42 - 0

After a tough pool, Spratton clearly finished top and were seeded 3rd overall with points scored to advance into the Main Cup quarter-Final. Here they met a talented Woodcote team that possessed raw speed and size advantage. However, Spratton dominated the second half winning 21 -12. An excellent team performance.

The Semi-final saw us play a giant Winterfold team, again the opposition showing good strength and speed. Spratton fought till the end, being two tries down at half-time to come back and win the game in the last play, 14-12. This game was a true reflection of the Spratton boys' team spirit, well done.

In the Main Cup Final of the IAPS we met our arch rivals Maidwell in a physical and fast-paced match. This time it was not to be, being equal at half-time, then a few wrong options cost Spratton the game.

The Spratton boys should feel really proud of their achievements in this tournament, especially considering, it is the 4th year in a row Spratton have made the final. It has been a privilige for me to work with such a determined and committed group of boys. The Year 8s have always shown real character and they gave everything in this tournament, what more could a coach ask for!! Well done to the team for such an entertaining day and for being a pleasure to coach. Mr B 

Match Reports

v Bedford Prep (coaching game) (12.09.09)  Won 12-0

An excellent coaching game to have before the start of the season. Spratton's set pieces and defensive line worked well. The boys' sheer determination and commitment against a rather large pack of forwards was great to watch with some solid, powerful tackling. Spratton scored both tries from set pieces. In particular as a unit I thought our forwards were aggressive and played as team. There are always things to work on though! We now look forward to taking on one of our arch rivals, Winchester House, on Wednesday.  GB

v Winchester House  (16.09.09)  Won 29-0

The 1st XV game play is progressing. After a shaky start, we began to play the rugby we know we can. With no score on the board for most of the first half with a few opportunities, but wrong decisions and some tough 5m defending. We finally broke through with some excellent link play to score our first try. Our rhythm was moving forward and we again scored just before half time with Freddy T slicing their defence in half to set up an excellent try. The second half saw Spratton touch down with three further tries from solid running onto the ball and support play. There were a number of times during the match where our defence was tested, but we did manage to keep them out with some superb tackling. The year 8 boys are leading from the front and the year 7's are definitely stepping up to the task. As our all round game improves and gets harder, our aim now is to concentrate on a talented Witham team beginning their tour on Saturday against us. Can you step up another gear and work hard for every minute of the game??? I know my answer, Yes! Give it your all and good luck!!!  GB 

v Witham Hall  (19.09.09)  Lost  0-5

What a game of opportunities! It was a perfect day for a tough game of rugby. Witham started the game with some attacking play and finally scored with a clever grubber kick through in the corner. We battled away in their half for the rest of the game but wasted many opportunities to score due to quite a few wrong decisions. I must say  Witham's defence was quite superb. Hopefully we will have learned from our mistakes and we must now concentrate on a massive, physical game on Saturday against NSB.  GB 

v Trent College  (30.09.09)  Lost 12-20

Learning not to throw away a game is something we are really going to have work on! Our tackling is usually a strong area but this let us down against some big Trent boys. Three out of the four tries conceded were down to simple missed tackles. There were some brilliant periods of play, just when we thought we were getting back into the game then through a few defensive errors and handling mistakes we let them counter attack and play in our half. The forwards as a unit were solid and aggressive and the rucking showed an impressive improvement against a pack that were much larger than us. At times, especially at the beginning of the match, our backs ran onto the ball and changed direction quite nicely. However, Spratton did go back into flat running and paid the price by getting soundly tackled! Back to the practice field boys. A more concentrated and focused effort is needed for the Maidwell game. GB

v Maidwell Hall   (10.10.09)   Won 28 - 5

This encounter was, as always, a tough rival match. The first half was as close as a match can get with some solid attacking rugby from both sides. Maidwell scored first in the corner from a loose ball which caught out our hesitant defence. However, Spratton did bounce back with a wonderful set-piece try between Luke M, Freddie M and Max B. This try set the tone for the second half with the backs and forwards linking superbly to create three well-worked tries. Robbie P's kicking boots were on with some tremendous goal kicking. This game showed the kind of rugby you can play, so let's use this momentum and commitment in our Oakham match on Wednesday. Good luck! GB

v Oakham        (14.10.09)      Lost 5 - 55

A victory thoroughly deserved by Oakham. Missed tackles once again cost us the game. 6 out of 9 tries came from one on one tackles. Their sheer power, strength and pace in the whole backline showed how destructive a team can be when they are focussed on a task. Spratton did bounce back in the second half, however, especially towards the end, scoring a well deserved try having been camped in their 22 for 16 minutes. This did show the team what can be achieved when they work together. Spratton 1st XV can hold their heads high with a passionate performance in the last 20min of the game but... this needs to be done for the whole game. Something to think about over half term! GB

v Oundle        (11.11.09)          Won 32 - 7

A solid start back after the holidays. The backs played with flair and commitment. The forwards dominated in the pack at the breakdown and in the set pieces. All the tries were scored from superb handling from the back division. We did concede in the last minute of the game owing to missed tackles. However, generally speaking the defensive work showed commitment and a willingness to tackle them over the game line. GB

1st XV Tour     (13/14.11.09)

v St. Olave's            Lost     7 - 43

A complacent start led to the opposition scoring 4 quick tries in 20 minutes. Spratton fought hard to get back into the game finally scoring a well worked try. Nathan slicing through the defence from some good handling from the backs. However, this was another game of opportunities, Spratton created many chances but failed to finish them off. The highlight in this game was Freddie T's 'crunching' tackle on their giant number 8, great to watch. Much was learned from this game going into the Saturday matches!

v Rossall              Won 52 - 0

Playing against a weaker opposition set us in good mode for our next game. Combinations started to gel and the tackling was brilliant. All the boys on tour managed to get a run out in this game and played with commitment to contribute in the game.

v Giggleswick       Won 25 - 0

This was going to be a stern test due to the wet, windy conditions and the size of their giant boys in the backline. However, Spratton met this challenge with some fantastic team play. The defensive line was the best this season so far with the back division not giving the opposition an inch to run. Thye 'blitz' tackling by 'Robbo', 'Ev' and Fred T was quite superb. The forwards played as a unit giving the backs plenty of ball. This game showed how talented this 1st XV really is when they are 'on song'. An excellent effort to finish the tour. Well done to all those involved! GB

v Wellingborough    (21.11.09)        Won 17 - 7

Yet again, another tough encounter for the Spratton 1st XV. In wet, muddy conditions; Spratton dominated the first half with Wellingborough equally up to the task in tackling. However, this began to wear and the team scored a good try from consistent pressure through Nathan. Wellingborough scored early on in 2nd half catching the boys off-guard. Despite this minor error, Spratton's defensive work was solid and we scored a further two tries. The 1st XV used different attacking options in this game which worked quite effectively. Keep it up boys! Now we face an unbeaten Bilton Grange side on Wednesday - let's up the tempo and cut out the basic handling errors. Another stern challenge awaits us! GB

v Bilton Grange    (25.11.09)           Won 12 - 5

What a phenomenal performance against an unbeaten Bilton team. Spratton's defensive work is really progressing at a rapid rate. I was most impressed with the sheer determination and commitment from all the players - in the second half especially. Fred T's first try was scored from some brilliant linking play between forwards and backs and a good off-load from Azeez. Robbie's kicking tactics were spot-on with the wind, playing for territory and pinning the opposition back. Max B's winning try came from an eye for the gap from some excellent pressure. Since the tour, this team has continued to work hard together and this is being rewarded by the hard-earned victories. Well done boys! Three tough matches left, let's look to improve further. GB 

v Swanbourne      (28.11.09)          Won 47 - 5

A solid start to the match saw Spratton run in a good team try from some excellent link play between forwards and backs. The most promising feature in this game was the excellent running lines from the backs. This is something the 1st XV have continued to work hard at the whole term. Enjoying a comfortable 26-0 lead at the break, Spratton played the second half with less urgency, giving away too many penalties due to ill-discipline. The forwards generally rucked well and scrummed a larger pack when we hit nice and low. However, too much ball was lost in contact, something to work on before St Faith's. Spratton scored a further 3 tries again showing some brilliant back play. St Faith's promises to be a stern encounter but the boys will be ready for this, I am sure!  Good Luck! GB

v St Faith's         (02.12.09)          Won 19 - 0

Being our last game of the season, due to Lincroft cancelling next Wednesday's fixture(newly arranged match v Stamford next week), it promised to be a highly entertaining match, which it was. The first half saw Spratton creating opportunities and eventually scoring two excellent tries. The forwards started the second half with more urgency and determination as a unit. Spratton must give credit to the gutsy comeback from St Faith's attacking our line for about 15min in the rain. However, the D-line was solid as a rock and the communication between the players was brilliant. Spratton were finally awarded a try for their good defensive efforts with a stolen line-out in their 22m.

I have been particularly impressed with this team's progression, especially since the tour, learning to work together and play as a team - the most important ingredient to a team's success is Working Together and this was accomplished. Well done to all those boys who contributed to this 1st XV's progression this season. I am really proud of you all! GB

v Stamford    (09.12.09)          Lost 19 - 22

After a complacent start in the first 13 minutes, Spratton managed to regain composure. The boys created some spirited play and scored a good team try right before half time. Owing to a positive finish to the first half and a spirited team talk, Spratton dominated in the entire second half, creating many opportunities and scoring two excellent attacking tries. I was particularly pleased with the commitment to comeback from 0-22 down and then to almost snatch what would have been an incredible victory. This was an excellent way to finish the season, although we lost, the 1st XV know they played the better rugby for 30minutes. The boys can hold their heads high and be very pleased with their individual and team progression this season. Well done to all those boys who participated in this team, I thoroughly enjoyed working with you all. One more challenge next term, the IAPS 7s.  

Man of the Match: Azeez Al-Humaidhi - I thought his individual contribution to the team’s comeback was inspirational and it showed real dedication and commitment. His defensive work was outstanding and runs with ball in hand always got the team over the gain line. Well done, my boy!  GB