The Hallifordian - 2016-2017

69 The 1st XV enjoyed a very successful season due to great competition for places and a strength in depth that we have not had for some time. The team led wonderfully by Captain Alistair Kinder created a culture of winning rugby particularly in the first half of the term. With a great first win over a strong King Edwards team the 1XV approached the next few matches with confidence. Despite losses to Reading Blue Coat and Super Rugby winners Claires Court the team produced mesmerising performances to overcome City of London Freemans, Gunnersbury and Gordon’s. The second half of the season saw the teams resolve tested when injuries struck a number of key players. Close fought matches against Wel- lington College and Churcher’s College ended with the narrowest of losses whilst momentum was re- gained in the midweek league fixtures. Despite suffering a dislocated and fractured finger Captain Kinder played the final matches of the season and epitomised the attitude displayed by the entire squad throughout the term. I could not be prouder of a team due to their collective efforts and the responsibility shown both on and off the pitch. The legacy this team leaves behind was em- phasised by a special 1XV leavers training session for the U12A team. This session saw the year 13s holding bags and giving feedback to their young counterparts. Amixed huddle, with words of advice, encouragement and tales of their Halliford rugby journey inspired the U12s to a great victory over Emanuel in their last game of the season. The entire squad deserves praise but for me the stand out performers came from the resilient and mature year 13s. O Shea Pert, Freiszo, McCardle, Jacobs, Snape, Notton (Noo Noo), Cheah, Liley, Patel, Easby Keating and of course the outstanding Alistair Kinder. The 2ndXV have undoubtedly had a hard season. We were quite a young and inexperienced side, and came up against some very well drilled and older teams in both midweek and weekend matches. That being said, there was always a great amount of courage on display in the face of some heavy defeats. The endeavour of the boys could never be questioned, and we did manage three midweek wins, which left us in 3rd place in the Super Rugby Tournament. We beat LVS twice, and having lost in the last minute to Reddam House at home, we came away with a fantastic one score victory in the return fixture. The team was once again very well led by Josh Blackman, and his mid-field partnership with Tom Fossett and Charlie Joyce always looked dan- gerous. Gareth Hart, Shaan Suseelan, and Matt Al- exander combined well as a back three. Up front we were bolstered by the physicality of Ethan Job, Sports Report: Autumn Term Rugby – Overall statistics: P 125 W 60 D 7 L 58 48% Senior Rugby Played Won Drawn Lost Points For Points Against Points Difference 16 9 0 7 452 230 222