BOYS’ SPORTS REPORTS 28/09/15

RUGBY

Wednesday 23rd September

2nd XV v Prince Henrys GS (H) Won 70-3
A fantastic team performance saw the 2nd XV overwhelm PHGS 1st XV. The forwards started the game with real intensity, moving the opponents’ large pack around the field. Excellent running lines from Blackhall, Lister, Clements and McGhee in particular, created the momentum for three well-crafted early tries from Heathcotte, Chamberlin and Silvester.

The inclusion of Rudd at scrum half provided the impetus we needed to exploit the gaps in a tiring defence, leading to further first half tries by Hill (2), Blackhall, Rudd and Radcliffe.

The second half saw more of the same with our forwards dominating in loose play and winning everything on the floor.  This allowed a talented back line to attack with speed and depth, Madronal and Chamberlin crossing to score. Further scores from the hard-working Scrivens and Green added to an impressive all-round performance.
PCL

3rd XV v Giggleswick (A) Lost 12-10
One of the bravest and yet most frustrating matches I have been involved with at Sedbergh. To say that the lads put their body and heart on the line today would be underselling their effort. However a lack of adaptability and game management cost us.

We were dominant in the forwards and unable to find a way through a well drilled midfield defence who gave us nothing.
We defended brilliantly and turned over ball. We worked hard to make up for the inevitable mistakes we made on an intense and slippery day.

Our driven line out was excellent and a man of the match is difficult to find as the eight forwards gave everything.

We scored a try through Thornton from close range and a great conversion from Brighetti took us 7-0 up. Naive play in our 22 gave an interception try and an easy kick.

We worked so hard against a very good 2nd XV and forced field position, we kicked a penalty and we started to tie the game up.

he opposition inevitably raised the tempo and we went with them rather than trying to impose control and composure. A kick able penalty under the sticks was tapped and run- turn over back to our end. Despite an excellent period of defence and a superb tackle from Holdsworth the Giggleswick player was adjudged to have gone over with momentum.
We got back up the park but too little too late.

The lads now need to regroup for a big fixture against Merchiston on Saturday!
CH

A2 XV v Prince Henrys GS (H) Lost 52-7
A2 were well beaten by a strong Prince Henry team who dominated the set piece area of the game and had pace and power in their back line. Both teams struggled to control a wet greasy ball in difficult conditions on Riverside, though Prince Henry made their size difference pay on several occasions. A2 never gave up and the forwards in particular battled bravely to the end with Thomas, Whitehouse and Morrison leading the charge.
JO 

B2 XV v Cockermouth (A) Lost 29-12
Played with guts and determination against a big, physical side; tackled well and grew stronger in the ruck as the game went on. Done for pace for three of the tries and made both ours from good build up play. A few handling errors on a damp day.
HRD

C2 XV v Cockermouth (A) Lost 52-7 
This improving C2 team once again struggled to handle a team with a high level of physicality and athleticism. The boys looked good in patches but were too inconsistent to a build a solid performance.
JSA

Saturday 26th September 

1st XV v Merchiston Castle (A) Won 49-17
In a much anticipated away fixture Sedbergh travelled to Edinburgh to play Merchiston in what were perfect playing conditions for rugby. In a brilliant first half display Sedbergh’ s speed, execution and physicality proved to much as they dominated possession and territory.

Ed Irons, John Statham, Hayden Thompson Green and George Phelan all scored first half tries to give Sedbergh a commanding 28-0 lead at the break. Sedbergh continued their dominance in the second half adding further tries from man of the match Charlie Gowling, James Botham and Will Lewin.

Merchiston fought back with ten minutes to go but it was never going to be enough as the visitors thoroughly deserved the victory. This was an outstanding performance from a Sedbergh side who are in excellent form as they enter a very tough period ahead before the half term break.
Tries: Irons, Statham, Thompson Green, Phelan, Gowling, Botham, Lewin, 
Cons: Crossdale 6, Lewin 1
SM

2nd XV v Merchiston Castle (A) Won 62-5
Before the game they were unbeaten and confident. The ref blew up when we scored our 10th try with 20 mins left. Their coach was shocked by the result and described our performance as outstanding. 
Tries: Hill 2, Clements 2, Silvester 2, Heathcote 2, McGhee, Madronal
GUN

3rd XV v Merchiston Castle (A) Won 59-0 
It is always a special game to head north of the border to play Merchiston, and after the disappointment of last Wednesday the boys knew they had to hit the ground running. And they did.

The game management was so much better and the boys mixed up their game very nicely indeed.

The first score from Harry- Thornton was down to the power of the forwards after some very patient work.

We certainly need to work on our restarts as we were undone on three of them in the first half, the man behind needs to take responsibility for the ball.

Bolton was strong and carried well taking contact much better than previously and Campbell likewise. Sanson worked hard around the fringe to get us going forward and Steele was very strong over the ball.

Brighetti scored from a hard line forcing arm tackles, Scott-Dempster in his home town, scored a trademark power try, fending and dancing his way around the Merchiston full back. Porter who was as industrious as ever in the back row scored from a distance to mean we turned around 28-0 up.

Allejandro is getting better and better at number eight. He is very strong in defence and uses his shoulders to great effect with Player joining him in the hardest hits of the game.

Down and Moss are growing into a fine partnership. Down must be confident in his ability and understand that he can use the ball to beat people as well as his feet! Moss needed to give a meter or two in the first half and he would have relieved the pressure of a fast and effective defensive line, he worked this out in the second half.

The second half finished the job with a great show of pace horn Holdsworth to score on the wing, Brighetti again hit a wonder line this time from full back and scored farm our 22. A very tired defensive team let Park Johnson and Steele in from distance.

The best passage of play saw every element of our game put together. Depth, off loads, ruck ball, through 12 phases of play to culminate in Park-Johnson drop into the pocket for a drop at goal. Sadly although the pass was perfect and the position on the pitch ideal the kick was terrible and hit the post in the cushioned cover!

Great day out- well done boys.
CH

4th XV v Merchiston Castle (H) Won 41-5
A good performance which was much closer than the score implies. Sedbergh took their chances where Merchy did not. Two scores in the last 3 minutes changed a game that would have been better reflected by a 29 -19 score line. 

A couple of Cowen chip and chases inside their 22 bounced perfectly for us resulting in good tries, but Robbie Scambler was unlucky not to hold on to the best which was a perfectly weighted cross field effort that landed on outstretched fingers inches from the corner flag – had he held it it would have been try of the season.

The forwards were much better and put together some good phases of play although still have a frustrating habit of being able to lose what should be secure possession. Ben Jones transformed our lineout lifting but there is more to come from him in loose play. The backs struggled to break away, occasionally carrying to long (particularly Connor and Seb) instead of bringing wider players into the game.

Still much to work on but a group that is now starting to gel.
SRA

A1 XV v Merchiston Castle (H) Drew 21-21
This was a disappointing performance from A1 who made far too many errors and gifted a spirited, but limited, Merchiston side points throughout the game.

After a poor start which saw us go down 12-0 after 10 minutes we did really well either side of half-time to score 3 converted tries to go into a 21-15 lead.

We should have gone on to win from here but a couple of missed chances and naivety in the final minutes meant that Merchiston were able to kick 2 penalties to tie the game.
CPM

A2 XV v Merchiston Castle (H) Won 52-0
In perfect rugby conditions A2 made a bright start against Merchiston with prop Halsall in particular making some good line breaks, which led to three early tries.

A2 continued to build on their good start and backs and forwards combined well to add several more tries. Merchiston to their credit never gave up and continued to press for a score only to be stopped by some determined tackling by A2 with second row Warburton to the fore. 
JO

B1 XV v Merchiston Castel (A) Won 50-14
Good rucking, determined ball carrying and excellent support play were the foundations of two convincing wins for the Colts B sets. 
Tries: Magee (3), Haydon-Wood (2), H. Hill (2), Guthrie (1)
Cons: Haydon-Wood (5)
CJS

B2 XV v Merchiston Castle (A) Won 40-5 

C1 XV v Merchiston Castle (H) Won 67-0
Despite missing several players through injury, C1 came away with a comprehensive win on Riverside. The Merchiston forwards were unable to cope with our much-improved work at the breakdown, whilst the backs were too big and too quick for their counterparts.

As in previous games it was a game where individuals shone, such as Tuipulotu, scorer of three tries and dominant at the breakdown, and Cameron Melville, looking increasingly at home at fullback.

Tristan Duncan was outstanding at blind-side flanker, linking the play well and making plenty of tackles. However, fluency was once again lacking on a team-wide level, and the backs in particular were rather scrappy with their ball-handling and decision-making. 
JDL

C2 XV v Merchiston Castle (H) Lost 26-31
A depleted C2 side put in a very impressive performance in the first half, leading throughout. Ball retention and their work at the ruck were two key areas of success. However, the away side rejuvenated themselves after the break and battled hard against an organised Sedbergh defence. Although Commitment levels were high, Merchiston scored two late tries to seal the win. 
The boys should be buoyed by their continual improvement and this will show come next Saturday.
JSA

GOLF 

Wednesday 23rd September 

Sedbergh School v Giggleswick IGSA Match Play Tournament (H) Won

A clean sweep for Sedbergh in relentless rain and heavy underfoot conditions.
Lewis Smith – Won 3 & 2
Archie Davies – Won 5 & 3
Pier Giorgio Pello – Won 1 up

Follow Sedbergh: