Rugby Tour 2021
38 boys and six members of staff set out on the School’s Junior Rugby tour to Brighton last weekend, looking forward to having fun, team building and playing lots (and lots!) of rugby matches.
The tour started on Friday with a day of activities at Bushy Woods Activity Centre, where boys competed in rifle shooting, archery, crate stacking and climbing. Everyone had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed themselves, completing several tasks they previously had not done. Year 8’s Edward also celebrated his birthday with everyone on Friday too, there was much excitement and some delicious cake!
Saturday morning started with the U13 and U12 teams competing in a mini competition at Cumnor House School; the U12 team were split into the sharks and the lions, with the sharks being the overall winners! Saturday evening was spent watching Brighton vs Leeds United in the football premiership, and even though the game was a little stagnant and ended in a nil, nil draw, the boys enjoyed the atmosphere and even managed to get themselves on Sky TV meeting an international rugby player!
Overall the tour was a huge success and huge thank yous go to all staff who gave up their time to take the students to Brighton, ensuring the mini tour was a huge success and enjoyed by all – we couldn’t do it without them.
Below are reports from each of the matches that took place over the weekend:
U12s Cunmor House
On a bright but cold Saturday morning, the Woodbridge tourists were split into two teams – the Lions and the Sharks. The Sharks got off to a strong start with some great ball carrying and attacking rugby, which put Hayward Heath Rugby Club on the defensive. In the end the Sharks were too strong and walked away with the win, 6 tries to 2. The Lions gave hosts Cumnor House a scare with some dogged defending on the line and a couple of breakaway tries, but unfortunately they eventually lost. It was the Sharks’ turn to take on the hosts next and they started where they left off and dominated the game with some quick passing after winning the ruck situation. This victory made the Sharks overall tournament winners, well done to all involved in the win.
U13s Cumnor House
The U13s played Haywards Heath Rugby Club and Cunmor House in a mini triangular competition. First up were Haywards Heath, and we started like a house on fire! Defending resiliently, attacking with pride and passion, the determination and hard work of all twelve players eventually payed off as we scored the opening try through Oliver (Y8). Haywards Heath went on to score just before half time, making the scores one all at half time. A raft of changes saw a slight shift of power in the second half of the game, with Haywards Heath coming out on top. However, Woodbridge boys showed huge determination and commitment to keep the final score at 6/3. Next we played Cunmor House in what was another fantastic battle of a game, and at half time the score was 3/2 to Cunmor House. Unfortunately the team ran out of steam and eventually lost the game 9/3, but the boys all played extremely well and represented the school with a huge amount of pride.
U12 Match report vs Worthing
Sunday arrived with a game against Worthing Rubgy Club. An enthusiastic Woodbridge side turned up ready for the challenge of finishing off the tour on a high, scoring a couple of tries straight away from direct running. Worthing got back into the game and this meant a real learning experience for Woodbridge. The game went from end to end with both attacks being successful with tries being scored regularly. Woodbridge ended up eventual winner 12 tries to 8. Well done to all players involved in the tour.
U13 Match report vs Worthing
Also playing Worthing, our U13s, our team fought quite a battle. Successfully moving the ball into space a little better as the match progressed meant that at half time the score was 5/3 with Jack (Y8) and Seb (Y8) making robust breaks, scoring fantastic tries in the second half. Worthing came back and made a real fight of the game which finally closed with the score down to 5/4. However, the ability of the Woodbridge team to move the ball to space ensured that the end result of 9 tries to 4 was a realistic outcome to the game. The boys were ecstatic with their win, the first game of the year to be won, showing how much they have progressed this academic year already.
Great rugby boys, and great attitude and approach, you were a credit to the School on and off the pitch over the weekend and you should be very proud of yourselves.
