Under 11s win National Schools Rugby silverware

National Rugby Finals at Epsom College

What a day of highs and lows, drama, battle, bravery, exceptional skill and team spirit.
Our Under 9 and Colts rugby teams arrived at Epsom to be greeted by fantastic weather and the magnificent sight of the National Finals.

U9s
The Under 9s hit the ground running! They played the best rugby of their lives in the group stages as they beat Lanesbrough and Chinthurst with ease and the 30-0 demolition of Bristol Grammar was arguably the best performance of their season. The manner in which they won their group was exceptional. The ball was moved wide into space and our runners were able to use the space to their advantage. The defence was strong and the boys ran excellent support lines playing as a team rather than as a group of individuals.

As winners of the group, the boys faced Danes Hill from Surrey (the largest Prep School in the country!) in the quarter finals. In a feisty affair, we never took a backward step and competed in all areas of the pitch, but Danes Hill were just too strong for us and they ran out 5-25 winners.

We are all incredibly proud of the team's efforts. To reach the quarter finals of a National competition and finish in the top 8 teams in the country is a remarkable performance for such a small year group and is testament to how far the boys have progressed over the course of the year. Now we can all look forward to them reaching an even higher standard next season!

U11s

The Under 11s felt they had some unfinished business having reached the quarter finals in the previous year. The first game saw us take on Bristol Grammar School. In a tight, bruising contest both teams had their chances, but we competed very well at the scrummage and breakdown against a far larger pack and the game ended in a 0-0 draw. We then came up against St. Columba's. The first half saw us dominate possession and almost score twice, St Columba's profited from a mistake and went 7-0 up at half time. Tiredness set in during the second half and we allowed 2 soft tries in to leave the final score a lop-sided and disappointing 21-0.

As a result the team qualified for the Plate competition.  Due to other results we made it straight through to the semi final against Beechwood Park. The realisation of the fact that this was the last time we would play together as a team seemed to galvanise the boys (as well as the threat of extra Science homework from Mrs Bateson!) and they raised their game as we raced into a 21-0 lead. But Beechwood came back strongly and we had to fight to claim our place in the final 21-12.

The final saw us come up against St John's Chepstow, a traditionally strong school from the English/Welsh Borders. The boys saved the best to last as rousing speeches from Messers Bateson and Blundell and the excellent Captain Skelton boosted the boys and seemed to give them the edge. Our forwards were dominant and the backs defended bravely. Ollie Perkins set the tone with an opportunist try 5 minutes in and this was followed up by super tries from Jake Choules and James Seabrook to win the game 21-7.

What an amazing and emotional finish to the boys time as a rugby team at CPS. We are all so pleased for them all and proud of them as they thoroughly deserve this outstanding achievement. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of the parents for their fantastic support over the past 3 years. It really does make a difference to the children and adds to the occasion for all of us. Thank you.

Mr Bateson

Head of Boys Games

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE COLTS

THE NATIONAL PREP SCHOOL

PLATE WINNERS