Team Spirit All Around: Rugby Review & House Competition Update

Saturday 6th December 

U11 Rugby 7s Tournament at The Elms 

Martha N, Joshua B-R, Pip T, Ben D, Hugo F and Max G arrived at The Elms full of excitement and eager to make their mark on a superb morning of Rugby 7s. Across four competitive fixtures, the team showed resilience, improvement and plenty of promising rugby. A huge pitch greeted us in the opening game, and it certainly played to RGS’s strengths more than ours. We were slow to settle, struggling to use the width and stretch the opposition. A missed tackle gifted RGS the opening try, and although we then camped on their try-line for several phases, we couldn’t quite break through or recognise the space out wide. RGS regained possession and added another score, leaving us chasing the game. Heads dipped a little, and after the slow start we found it difficult to recover. A tough opener, but plenty learned. 

Next came a friendly but competitive encounter against our friends and this terms teammates from King’s Hawford. The quality of rugby lifted from both sides and the match was played at a superb standard. Ben D lit up the contest with a stunning solo try, running the full length of the pitch. With the score level at 2–2, Zack powered over the line after some strong build-up play, sealing a brilliant and hard-earned win. 

A well-drilled Elms side challenged us in the third fixture, and again we were slow to get going. The match remained tight throughout and could have gone either way, eventually finishing 3–2 to the hosts. There were real positives, though: the team defended bravely and began to recognise that taking the ball wide, rather than straight into contact, created the opportunities that led to our tries. 

Everything clicked in the final match. The opening five minutes saw us produce our best rugby of the day — good ball handling, strong tackles and clinical work at the breakdown. Hugo and Max controlled the tempo brilliantly, helping the team surge into a 3–0 lead.
Although we switched off slightly in the final moments, it was still a convincing and deserved win, showcasing just how far the team had come across the tournament and the term. 

Overall, the team played with spirit, determination and clear improvement from game to game. It was a performance that reflects an excellent term of rugby and provides real confidence ahead of the three Rugby 7s tournaments we will enter as a joint team with Hawford after Christmas.
Well done to all involved!