The Chronicle, Spring 2019

41 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Yearlings It was a mixed season for the U14A team: some outstanding wins were marred by some heavy losses and some far closer contests which could have gone either way. With an initial loss to Marlborough away 12-7, the team rallied the following week to play an impressive Clifton side and win 19-15, showing strong defensive shape and bags of determination that earned Freddie Walton a superb solo try. A home defeat to a strong Radley side dampened spirits before the team bounced back to thrash MCS by 43 points. Painfully close losses ensued which challenged the squad - Cheltenham, Rugby, Stowe and Uppingham. The team rebounded once more in the run-in to the holiday period with a comfortable 45-5 win against Reading Blue Coat but then suffered one last time against Malvern who had lost only once all season. Whilst the squad may have lost a fair amount, it is worth noting that this is the best Yearlings rugby season in the last four years, so they can certainly set their sights on a successful season next year. Star performers include Freddie Walton for his abilities to score tries with direct running lines and Oliver Sedgwick for his running and tackling prowess.

highlight of the season was the 48-26 victory on Upper 1 against a Stowe side who had arrived unbeaten and highly rated. The real strength of this team is their versatility and strength in depth. Gus MacLeod and Winston Frieze, centre and full back respectively, often played in the back row. The team was marshalled and led superbly by James Marsh and Harvey Machin. The attacking prowess outside was evident on many occasions with Joshua Roy, Harrison Wells, Daniel Hoggar, Solomon Poulter and Anton Myachin terrorising opposition backs with their running lines, pace and power. In order for these players to excel, the forwards laid the platform by creating quick ball at ruck time and providing a rock solid set piece to launch countless attacks. The front row of Freddie Kelly, Ben Neville and Charlie Crisp were well supported by Sam Welch, Ibrahim Khan, Sam Gorton and Charlie Bell. All in all, it was another successful season highlighting the potential of this squad. Junior Colts It was a developmental season for the Junior Colts as they learned the expectations and skills required for senior rugby. After

a close defeat against Marlborough, the season was difficult for the first half of term due to injuries and the strength of the opposition. The boys were resolute during this period and showed resilience in a number of games including Cheltenham away where it was 14-14 until the last few minutes. Andrew Rush led the boys well with dogged attitude at the breakdown and with jinking sidesteps. Work horses such as Lucas Watkins and Guy Wheeler helped the team through this tough period with determined defence and selfless ball carrying and it was then rewarded with four wins on the bounce at the end of the season. The most impressive display of the season was winning away at Uppingham with an unyielding defensive display sustained by the work ethic of Oliver Bilgutay and Henry Morgan. Alex Horton and William Parry were able to provide a number of great tries throughout the season which kept the team in many of the games. Overall, there were positive steps forward for the team and the Club looks forward to seeing their development over the next twelve months.

Will Griffiths

James Marsh feeds Gus MacLeod during the Colts A match v Rugby on Upper 1