SPORT // RUGBY
U15A XV
P11 / W5 / D0 / L6
This has been a season of progress for the Under 15 squad and one that I have very much enjoyed being a part of . Having coached these boys last year as well the change in attitude and added belief in their abilities was noticeable . Highlights for the season included a close 29-17 victory over Woldgate and a 17-7 victory against St Peters .
Training has been a delight this year and it has been good to see increased numbers from the whole squad at after school practices . Perhaps the hardest result to take was the loss to GSAL however the score line does not do the boys justice , against a physically dominant opposition the courage that the boys showed was commendable and each child left the pitch having given their all . The GSAL coach praised the team for their efforts and said it had been the biggest challenge his team had been given all season .
In the school ’ s cup the boys progressed above any of their expectations and reached the Northern semi-final and were unlucky to lose narrowly to St Edward ’ s College Liverpool , however seeing the passion that the boys showed told me just how strong this team is .
On the route to the semi were outstanding victories against physical Wolfreton and Bingley Grammar opponents and a comprehensive victory against Hill House . The semifinal was a challenging result to take but the resilience to bounce back was commendable . It is hard to choose an individual to praise above anyone else as this was a real season of progress and I look forward to watching their development across the season .
As the season ends , we can reflect upon not just our successes but also look forward to the future and I know that every member of the squad is already looking ahead to 2020 .
Player of the Season : Henry Hobson Most Improved : Will Mason
U15B XV
A hard-fought season for the boys , starting with a formative defeat against GSAL and an improved score line against Barnard Castle . This initial development was augmented with an emphatic victory over Hymers 45-12 . This strong performance , made even more satisfying by the hard work of the whole squad , had many players performing at their very best . The heartbreak of our British weather and limited opposition then played their cruel part ; with the fixture against Ampleforth cancelled . At the time of writing we still have St Peter ’ s to play and we look forward to what we know will be a hard-fought contest .
Several of the team played up during the season providing opportunities for many to improve and stake their claim on an A team place . Long standing members of the squad and new recruits tried their best throughout the season .
The U15B squad have grown both in confidence and in ability and we look forward to an even better season next year .
Player of the Season : Ethan Rhodes Most Improved : Matthew Brown
U14A XV
P8 / W4 / D0 / L4
Although it has been a tough season and , due to injury and call ups to the U15s we have never been able to play with a full-strength squad , the boys should be proud of their achievements . They have played with intensity and physicality all season , perfectly encapsulated in a dominant victory over Hymers . Even when they have gone behind - as happened at Barnard Castle and Hull Collegiate - they have played with grit , closing seeming insurmountable gaps and giving an excellent account of themselves .
Moreover , everyone has really progressed this season and I look forward to seeing what they can do in the cup competition next year , especially if they can tidy up the basics ( catch and pass and tackling technique ).
Player of the Term : Ted Cooper Most Improved : Pau Martin Jaume
THE POCKLINGTONIAN 55