Year 10 Rugby

After their strong showing against Redlands in the previous round, the Year 10 rugby team made the journey to St John’s School, Leatherhead for the last 16 of the National Vase. The boys were undaunted by the impressive venue and large crowd to play their part in a very competitive and close game. St John’s put Bart’s under pressure early, moving their ball using their strong back five to attack the wider channels. While conceding field position, the boys tightened up defensively in the red zone with some excellent cover tackles and turnovers at the breakdown, which we held the edge in all game. This defensive hard work paid off after 20 minutes, when St John’s made a rare handling error, allowing winger, Ed Hancock, to scoop up the ball and race away from 60m to put Bart’s in front. St John’s came straight back on the attack, however, through a dangerous kick return from the back three, and eventually the pressure told, with the captain and number 8 battering over from close range to make it 5-5. The boys grew into the game ball in hand, and after some sustained possession from St Bart’s, just before half time, St John’s then scored again with a well-constructed maul from 20m out to take a deserved lead at the half 10-5.

The boys responded brilliantly after half time and the second half was a back and forth affair. On the back of a dominant scrum, Bart’s went on the attack with strong carrying from James, Josh, Antonio and Raul and the St John’s defence started to show some glimpses of slowing down. Antonio Valdivia took advantage to use his pace and power to beat three defenders from 50m out and Deacon Cullen slotted the conversion from wide out to put Bart’s into a 12-10 lead going into the last 15 minutes. From here, St John’s piled the pressure on, but Bart’s continued to hold on, particular thanks to Henry Wilson’s superb work at the breakdown throughout the game. Sadly, the pressure told and St John’s scored two tries in the last 12 minutes to put the game away, with a final score of 20-12. The boys can be very proud of this cup run and the fact that they pushed a very strong St John’s team to the limit, and we look forward to seeing this team’s continued progression into senior school rugby in the future.

 

James Dearing

Deacon Cullen

Josh Burgess

Finn Watrus

Harry Fenner

Jacob Tang

Joe Richards

Bartosz Opitek

Freddie Robertshaw

Raul Filimon

Henry Wilson

James Wheeler

Antonio Valdivia

Sidney Bloodworth

Will Mason

Lucas Bailey

Ed Hancock

Iggy Duly

Freddie Fuller