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| Rugby 2nd XV Team 'Blog' |
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End of Season Results P8 / W6 / L2 / D0 / F163 / A68 v Dragon Lost 0 - 5 v Cranleigh Won 5 - 0 v Reading Won 48 - 0 v Beacon ( Cancelled ) v Papplewick Lost 24 - 0 v Caldicott III Won 31- 10 v Oratory III Won 40 - 36 v Edgeborough Won 29 - 0 v Moulsford III Won 10 - 5 Squad: Gideon Harris, George Williams, David DeMerrist, Felix Titherley, Dede Ogbe, Benedict Cook, Alex Notley, Richard Bishop, Thomas Inglis, J-J Dewes, Haider Rubbani, Kevin Akunwa, Emanuel Vila, Oskar Winkler, Nikolai Malyguine, James Sharples, Sam Auger, Luis Argueso, Mathew Fitz-James, Ryan Chan.
Final Match v Moulsford III Saturday 8th November Won Eagle House 10 Moulsford 5 This was a terrific match and a wonderful way for the 2nd XV players to sign off the season. Like many even battles this game really tested the mettle of all the players on the pitch and the defensive commitment of both sides was first rate. I can't remember a faster or more physically demanding game, with both sets of players worn out at the final whistle. In the end Eagle House managed to win by two tries to one and I think they just deserved their win on the balance of play. However there was no comfort zone in this game and one mistake could easily have tipped the balance in such a close contest. Both teams had two in goal drives denied by desperate, last ditch defence . . . and much praise must go to the heroics of those defenders who refused to give in. Another spectacular break by Gideon was valiently stopped by the last Moulsford man. Many thanks to Moulsford who, through bringing a 3rd XV ensured a meaningful match. Tries: Emanuel, Thomas Match v Edgeborough II Wednesday 8th November Won Eagle House 25 Edgeborough 0 With a number of key players moving to the first team and with Felix absent there was a lot to do to mould the new players into a working unit. I was pleased to see a very determined team challenge the 1st XV in practice on Tuesday and I was confident that their commitment would see them through today. The match was won through the power and commitment of our runners. Each player was determined to break the tackle and get the team going forward. The weakness of this approach is that the team tends to play 'one at a time' and support players are ignored. Edgeborough were similarly committed and tackled bravely only yielding to superior power. Nikolai filled in well for Haider at fly-half while Oskar and James, our two ex-first team players, were able to show just how skilful and capable they are. Both Gideon and Dede, despite their loathing of sport and fresh air in general, have contributed greatly to the success of this side and it was good to see them finally register a score. Tom got his usual brace of tries and James also scored. The opposition try line was threatened on a number of other occasions but Edgeborough mounted admirable resistance and kept themselves in the game. Tries: Tom (2), Gideon, Dede, James. Cons: J-J, Kevin. Match v Oratory III Saturday 4th November Won Eagle House 40 Oratory III 36 This was a very exciting, high scoring match between two very committed teams and both sets of players could take a lot of satisfaction from the game. With the forwards battling on a fairly equal footing, the game was decided on whether the pacey and powerful but disorganised Eagle House backs would score more than they would concede. In the end it was a very close run thing. Emanuel is a very important player for this second team, and he has troubled every defence with his direct running. Haider kicked reliably and Thomas has started to become a real threat from his Number 8 position. There were good runs from Gideon and Felix and good work in the loose from Dede. Alex and Richard were quick to support and unlucky to have their touch downs disallowed, while J-J defended the fringes with great strength and determination. I was also very pleased with those players who were drafted in to the side as a result of illness and injury. Luis, Ryan, Mathew and Byron were all able to make a significant contribution to the game. Oratory can also be pleased with their contribution to an exciting game. They refused to lie down and dragged themselves back into the match with three unanswered tries in the last seven minutes. They were very good guests after 'no side' and it was good to see the players mixing so well as friends after this titanic battle. Tries: Emanuel (3), Thomas (2), Felix. Cons: Haider (5) Match v Caldicott III Wednesday 18th October Won Eagle House 31 Caldicott III 10 It is important to emphasise right at the start that Caldicott brought a 'weakened' Third team to play our Second team in the hope of an even match, as earlier this year it looked like we would hardly be able to field a side. I was very grateful to the Caldicott players who competed so well, and through their positive attitude and good team play managed to take advantage of the Eagle House inexperience, getting their noses in front at half time, two tries to one. This forced the very best out of the home side and I was delighted to see a much better team performance in the second half. Players were now looking to link with their team mates rather than selfishly running off on their own. It was a well contested match throughout and it was only the two scores in the last few minutes that enabled Eagle House to feel confident of the win. Apologies to Caldicott. They had every right to feel mugged but got on with the game and played with great skill and courage. They were also a delight to chat to after the match and were ideal guests. I was also pleased with our boys, so many of whom are new to rugby and learning 'on the hoof'. They have rapidly assimilated the skills and the spirit of this great game. Tries: Emanuel (3), Thomas, Felix. Cons: Haider (3) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Match v Papplewick II Saturday 14th October Lost Eagle House 0 Papplewick II 24 An efficient Papplewick team of well-coached and very competent players had the edge from the start of this match against an Eagle House side fielding seven very-willing beginners. With Dede away at Sevenoaks and Richard Bishop a late draft into the 1st team, an enforced 'Steve McLaren' style selection with many of the team asked to play out of position, were unable to secure enough possession to impose themselves on the opposition. The situation was compounded when J-J Dewes was carried off after 10 minutes, the result of a heavy late challenge, and his team had to play the rest of the match with only 14 men. Papplewick often looked to move the ball wide to take advantage of this situation and to bring into play a wonderful right wing finisher, who left a trail of wreckage (Lomu style) as he bagged himself a hat-trick of scores. I was pleased that the Eagle House side, who were three scores down at half time, competed right the way through to the final whistle and asked a number of their own questions in the second half. Against a lesser side, they might just have got back into the game, but Papplewick were very determined in defence, repelling the committed runs from Gideon and getting several bodies under the ball when Felix was driven over the line.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Match v Beacon Wednesday 11th October Match Cancelled - Waterlogged Pitch * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Match v Reading II Saturday 7th October Won Eagle House 48 Reading II 0 This was a remarkably even match despite the scoreline and the Eagle House forwards had to work very hard to secure ball against a mighty Reading outfit. Most pleasing was the fringe defence led by J-J Dewes and Richard Bishop and supported by much improved pressure from the entire back line. This ensured that the dangerous Reading runners were kept on the back foot. The backline defence from Reading was less successful and Haider Rubbani and Emanuel Vila found huge gaps to run into, scoring 7 tries between them. The forwards claimed one try from a driven maul, when David DeMerrist was driven over after a good break from Nikolai Malyguine. The best score came from J-J's initiative taking a quick drop out to himself and breaking to provide great ball, first to Kevin Akunwa whose run was supported by Haider and then finished off by Emanuel. Haider converted four of the eight tries. PFHG Tries: Emanuel (4), Haider (3) David. Cons: Haider (4) Match v Cranleigh Won Eagle House 5 Cranleigh 0 A fantastic contest with very little to choose between the two teams. Eagle House having had the benefit of one school match under their belts, had much of the initiative, but found it difficult to break the committed Cranleigh defence. It was a match the home side certainly deserved to win in that they applied most of the pressure and had the momentum in the game, but Cranleigh's rearguard heroics won great respect from an appreciative crowd. Tries: David DeMerrist Match v Dragon Lost Eagle House 0 Dragon 5 This was a very close match, with little to choose between the sides. Dragon dictated much of the play and deserved their win, but the Eagle House team with 6 players completely new to the game emerged with great credit. There is still a lot to learn, particularly when it comes to organisation and understanding the game. However, the raw materials and above all the courage is there and I am far more confident that we can progress well this season seeing the progress of some of our former Colt players, but particularly the new additions to the school. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * |
