Chronicle Spring 2022

48 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

The Rugby Club Whilst not a vintage season for the 1st XV, some of the year groups shone. In particular, the Colts A had a very impressive season only losing two games by the narrowest of margins (5 points collectively), and they will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with next year when they join the Lower Sixth. Congratulations to our representative players at different age groups: Charlie Mason and Oliver Sedgwick (Wasps U18); Matt Sell, Jack Wood and James Turnbull (Wasps U16); Egor Varivoda (Oxfordshire U18); and Ben Topping (England Lambs). Had it not been for the cancellation of so many games, the 3rd XV would have surely been very successful with the boys playing fluid and expansive rugby. Despite challenges in defence and fronting up physically, they showed incredible spirit to play an open game that looked at challenging the status quo, allowing them to

be an ‘attacking side’, even if some results may not have statistically shown this. At all times they have demonstrated what a group of happy and cheery players they are, letting the importance of good sportsmanship come to the fore. The Colts A enjoyed a very successful season despite the challenges posed by Covid in the early part of the term. After a fantastic opening win against Pangbourne College scoring 46 unanswered points, the next two games were cancelled. This was a shame because they were both against local rivals. The next four matches produced two wins and the only two losses of the season. Marlborough College and Bloxham were dispatched without too many problems, however a one-point loss to Cheltenham College and a four-point loss to Stowe were tough results to accept. That said, the team rallied after the terrific fight back

against Stowe in the second half to go on to win the last three games of the season, beating RGS High Wycombe, The Oratory School and Malvern College. In these games the team scored 78 points and conceded just 29. The team was captained by Matt Sell, with 20 players in total making up the squad. Special mention must go to Dylan Driscoll who scored 14 tries. After losing a whole season to Covid last year this was a good return to rugby for this powerful, physical and determined team. In defence, they had the hallmarks of Saracens in terms of line speed and ferocity; in attack, the guile, creativity and power of Harlequins. All in all a very enjoyable season characterised by their sense of camaraderie and determination to be successful. The Colts B team had a very good season with three of their five games ending as victories, one draw and one loss. Over the course of the season the team made very good progress in their ball-retention and attacking structure, including learning a series of set piece moves. The highlight of the season came against Stowe in a well- fought 15-10 victory. Teddies dominated the first ten minutes of this game, working the ball across the pitch, before a series of pick-and-go phases saw Teddies go over for the opening score. The fixture vs RGS High Wycombe saw the team come up against very strong opposition. After a slow start, Teddies did grow into the game and following a couple of very well-placed box kicks from Charlie Jones, Teddies once again showed their threat in attack, with Max D’Arcangeli Ryan scoring under the posts. There are plenty of positives to take away from this season with great prospects for senior rugby in the coming years. Kaden Haider and Charlie Jones led the team well, with standout performances from Tom Gardiner and Toby Bird vs Cheltenham, Oleg Voshchinskiy vs Marlborough and Stowe, and Harry Kane and Milo Robertson vs RGS High Wycombe. The Junior Colts group of boys were an unknown entity as they had not played rugby as Yearlings for obvious reasons, but for the A team there was much excitement and anticipation and as the season got underway it was clear to see from the onset that this team was going to be competitive. The skill level was high