The Fifteen
In the light of the incredibly successful Summer tour it was with much confidence that the XV, led by Alex Gay and David McNidder could embark on the domestic campaign. Indeed, the XV won 20 games and lost only twice all season, placing the school in third place in Britain in the new Internet ‘Schools rugby’ league table of results.
Our first opponents and visitors were Nottingham High School, whom we managed to overcome by 25-12 after a generally mature performance. Latymer Upper from London, provided the next opposition and weren’t really allowed to settle after their long journey and a comprehensive and impressive 42-6 victory ensued. The XV’s first away trip since the Summer was to King’s School, Worcester, who always provide stern opposition. Nevertheless, after absorbing some initial pace and power, our 3rd victory in a row came in the shape of a 22-6 win.
The Daily Mail competition always provides a welcome departure from the ‘block Saturday’ traditional fixtures. Due to previous success in the competition we achieved a ‘bye’ straight in to Round 2 where we successfully saw off an initially tenacious Fairfax team, from Sutton Coldfield, 46-9. Winning ways were to continue the following Saturday with a 44-5 victory over King Henry VIII Coventry.
Loughborough Grammar provided the next opposition and a slightly subdued and disappointing performance from our guests meant that the XV didn’t have to try too hard to eventually defeat them by 34 points to 3. Convincing victories over Adams Grammar School (27-10) and Bedford Modern School (27-5) suggested that things were going really quite well!
Again the XV prepared for the away fixture with RGS Worcester in the usual thorough manner but for once we could not quite match the opposition’s fire and the front 5 were given an unusually torrid time.We had just tasted defeat 20 points to 7.
Fortunately, there was a game waiting around the corner, this time the Daily Mail Round 4 fixture against King Edward’s, 5 Ways. Winning ways were re-established with a 27-0 victory. After this victory and the defeat of a spirited KES Birmingham (14-7) it was with confidence that we travelled to Oakham to play our Daily Mail Round 5 fixture. At this moment I start to re-live a number of moments in that game. Ultimately, we lost 17-25 and I guess that is all that matters. The reality was that we had 2 tries inexplicably disallowed and we were deserving winners – I guess that’s how it goes sometimes!
We weren’t quite at our best 3 days later when Warwick School provided the opposition. Nevertheless, after a few nailbiting final moments, we hung on for a deserved 27-25 win. Our final ‘domestic’ game was against Trent College. Playing at Trent is never easier and so I was delighted to come away with a really
impressive 16-10 win.
In the Summer of 2004 the 1st and 2nd Touring XV’s played against Toowoomba Grammar School Brisbane (away!) and so it meant a great deal to play them in Solihull on a very cold day in December 2005. The conditions were obviously more to our liking and we were well worth our 22-7 win.
Over the last few years we have had some fabulous Old Boys encounters and the side that Alex Henderson (Captain 2003/4) had assembled was going to allow for a very enjoyable and competitive occasion, and so it proved, the XV eventually producing a commanding display to win 30-17.
The Christmas break was very well received. There are many advantages of touring though one downside can be by the time Christmas comes around, fatigue can start to take its toll!
King Edward’s Camp Hill provided the first post Christmas test, though a 55-0 victory didn’t require all of our resolve. Newcastle-under-Lyme away on a cold January morning can provide the odd problem or two! However, we defended and kicked intelligently and ran away clear 31-8 winners.
Stowe School arrived with a reputation but were simply not allowed to play by a XV that played arguably its best rugby for a number of months to win 65-7. Wins aginst K.E. Aston (12-3) and Bablake (28-0) then completed what had been a fabulously enjoyable and successful season.
After last season’s very successful Seven-a-side season it was with a great deal of optimism that we embarked upon this year’s campaign. The first competition was our very own, the Solihull School U18 Invitation Sevens Competition. Our day was characterised by gradual, if unspectacular improvement, culminating in an excellent semi-final performance and win against Stowe. Unfortunately there was ‘not much gas left in the tank’ and we were beaten in the Final by an impressive King’s School Macclesfield VII. Plate Finalists at the King’s Worcester tournament at Droitwich Rugby Club does perhaps not go down as our greatest achievement, but an inexperienced and young squad managed to make real strides forward during another full action-packed day.
Our trip to Lytham St. Annes to play in the National Schools Sevens at Fylde Rugby club is always a very enjoyable, though arduous weekend. By most people’s admission we played some of the finest sevens rugby on display. However, that counts for nothing when your competition comes to a halt. In losing in the semi-finals to Warwick School: we simply didn’t deserve to win. That Warwick eventually lost heavily in the Final to a team we had beaten by 35 points in a Group game was particularly galling!!
Our trip to the Rosslyn Park Sevens was a fitting way to draw a line under a season with what had proved to be, a special bunch of boys. We left London as Group Winners. We didn’t win the competition but made many friends and played some good rugby.
The On-Field Generals Alex Gay (Captain) and David McNidder (Vice Captain) really were outstanding all year as both players and leaders. I count myself very fortunate to have had such fine young men to lead the Side.
The On-Field Generals Alex Gay (Captain) and David McNidder (Vice Captain) really were outstanding all year as both players and leaders. I count myself very fortunate to have had such fine young men to lead the Side. We were very well served in the Front Row. As Props Chris Lewis and Mark Baldrey both enjoyed excellent seasons and George Tucker at hooker can look back with much pride. As the season progressed, Will Pilkington and Rob Singleton played 1st XV rugby at prop, as did Haydn Griffiths-Jones, all performing really well when called upon. David Herdman shared hooking duties with George as the season unfolded. Our second row was also an area of strength with Tom Marlow and Paul Stevens proving to be an excellent pairing and first-rate combination. Our back row was a match for any opposition almost regardless of combination with Alex Gay, Daniel Birtwistle, Adam Fan and Will Mottram all high calibre performers. As the season progressed Edward Houghton proved himself equally at home in both the back row and the 2nd row.
At half back Alex Rodman was outstanding in the fly half position throughout and both Aki Davies and Sam Reddish had excellent seasons sharing scrum-half duties. Our regular midfield pairing of Marc Webb and David McNidder was, without doubt, the best on the circuit and we were incredibly lucky to have the talents of Richard Swain, Simon Evans and Chris Mussell in the wing positions. Chris Evans proved to be a really impressive full-back and when Ed Connolly and David Diez deputised, they did so with distinction. Perhaps particularly pleasing was towards the end of the season when a number of younger, under 16 players made their debuts. David Mundy played particularly well in the 2nd row over a number of games with Charley Thomas, Brandon Cooney, Tom Shanahan and David Ellis all proving that the future is certainly bright!!
Mr S A Morgan