Rugby

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[ The Barbarian U14's, 2010 - report by Jonathan Reid ]

The structure of Rugby at Blundell's is sound as a result of the interest and support shown by so many staff over many years. It is the genuine enthusiasm of the coaches that often inspires a relatively mediocre player of 13 to become a 1st XV player by the Sixth Form. At this top end, the demands are extremely high and only the most dedicated and well-motivated make it to the 1st XV. Blundell's currently enjoys a reputation that puts it at the higher end of the national scale, with successes at 15 a-side and 7 a-side competitions being well documented. It therefore helps to give a rural West Country school a major identity and spotlight; and yet, much of this has been achieved without scouring the country for top players or building a liaison with professional clubs, but rather by developing home-grown and local players. With a mere 320 or so boys from 11-18 years of age, the achievement of producing 14 teams on Saturdays is something many larger establishments envy.

Rugby tours have been major additions to the rugby life at Blundell's, with recent tours to South Africa, Australia and New Zealand being major successes. In addition, tours to Belgium, Ireland and others closer to home have all added to the diet on offer. Overseas sides now enjoy visiting Blundell's where they receive a warm reception - both on and off the pitch! These exchanges have always been of great value to the overall development of Blundellians.

In conclusion, it is obvious that rugby is special to many Blundellians. It regularly brings the best out of them and builds on the pride and spirit that undoubtedly exists within the school. It is hoped that, in changing times, this special aspect of Blundell's life will never be eroded.

Ed Saunders
Master i/c Rugby

Rugby 2011/12

2011 Captain of Rugby:Ben Wonnacott FH/W

Opposition 1st XV 2nd XV 3rd XV 4th XV U16A U15A U14A
Cheltenham College Lost 0-26 Lost 0-57     Drew 0-0 Lost 0-36 Won 19-17
Exeter School              
Bristol Grammar Lost 3-33 Lost 0-56 Lost 5-33   Won 54-0 Won 74-0 Won 50-0
Kingswood Won 20-14 Lost 12-24 Won 29-5   Won 59-5 Lost 10-24 Won 50-0
St Peter's Exeter              
King's Taunton Won 17-9 Won 29-21 Lost 5-13   Lost 7-12 Lost 10-24 Won 31-0
Truro School Lost 6-24 Won 21-20     Lost 25-26 Won 47-0 Won 55-0
Bryanston Lost 8 -38 Lost 10-67 Lost 0-73 Lost 7-14 Won 60-22 Won 26-5 Lost 19-24
Plymouth College Lost 17-20            
Clifton College Lost 3-18 Lost 20-40 Lost 12-50 Won 33-12 Won 15-5 Won 15-0 Won 36-5
Tiverton RFC              
Taunton School Lost 10-19 Lost 17-43 Lost 10-17   Won 29-7 Won 54-0 Won 29-0
Uffculme              
Sherborne Lost 0-39 cLost 15-18 dLost 23-33 eWon 24-0 Lost 18-42 Won 15-12 Won 50-0
Whitchurch Won 8-5            
King's Bruton Won 29-7 Lost 11-13 Won 17-12   Won 51-0 Won 74-0 Won 40-0
Monmouth School Lost Lost 0-69 Lost 3-53   Won 22-14 Won 29-10 Won 36-7
Opposition 2nd XV U16B U16C U15B U15C U14B U14C
Cheltenham College   Drew 19-19   Lost 0-72   Lost 0-21  
Shebbear A Lost 17-37            
Exeter School              
Bristol Grammar   Won 26-19   Won 19-17   Drew 19-19  
King's Taunton   Won 17-5   Lost 10-38   Won 37-0  
Kingswood   Won 59-0   Lost 0-53   Won 50-0  
Truro School   Lost 12-15   Lost 14-39   Lost 21-26  
Bryanston   Won 51-0   Lost 15-39 Draw 31-31 Lost 0-50 Lost 0-50
Clifton College   Won 48-7   Lost 0-67     Lost 0-50
Kingsley A       Won 32-0      
Taunton School   Won 29-5   Lost 5-17   Won 31-27  
West Exe A           Lost 26-31  
Uffculme A              
Sherborne   Won 22-10   cLost 12-32 dLost 7-10 cWon 27-10 dLost
Heathfield              
King's Bruton   Won 60-5   Won 30-0   Won 69-0  
Monmouth School   Won 22-0   Lost 5-36   Lost 24-25 Lost
Opposition U13A U13B U13C U13D U12A U12B
Cheltenham College Lost 19-26          
Christ's C Brecon            
Uffculme U12A            
Uffculme A            
Bristol Grammar Lost 21-31 Lost 0-46     Won 29-10  
Exeter School            
Kingswood Won 59-0 Won 36-22     Lost 10-28 Lost 5-30
Clayesmore 7s            
Exeter Cathedral A            
St Peter's, Lympstone Lost 0-31          
The Downs, Wraxall Lost 14-17   Lost 10-29      
Truro School Lost 5-20 Lost 17-20     Won 31-27 Lost 5-10
Mount House Won 68-5          
Wellington School Won 24-5 Won 21-10 Won 64-7 Won 62-0    
St John's, Chepstow Lost 7-15          
St Peter's, Exeter A            
Taunton Prep' Won 57-5 Won 20-0 Won 27-25 Lost 5-47    
Clifton Preparatory Lost 22-31 Lost 14-26 Lost 0-48 Lost 5-51    
Plymouth College            
Port Regis Lost 5-50          
King's Hall Won 63-0 Won 14-7 Won 36-5      

 

Rugby 2010/11

2010 Captain of Rugby: Richard Paxton OH/W

Opposition 1st XV 2nd XV 3rd XV 4th XV U16A U15A U14A
Cheltenham College Lost 5-15 Lost 5-50 Lost 7-24 Lost 8-48 Lost 0-53 Lost 5-12 Lost 0-19
Exeter School Won 20-5 Won 36-5     Won 5-0 Won 61-0 Won 32-12
Bristol Grammar Won 23-12   Lost 0-34     Won 33-21 Lost 17-19
Kingswood     Lost 19-28        
St Peter's Exeter         Won 39-7 Won 52-3 Won 29-7
King's Taunton Won 31-7 Won 31-14 Won 63-5   Lost Won 29-20 Lost 7-14
Whitchurch, Cardiff Won 30-9            
Bryanston Lost 21-34 Lost 10-22 Lost 12-24 Lost 5-41 Lost 12-46 Lost 12-21 Lost 7-19
Clifton College Lost 5-12 Lost 5-30 Lost 3-36 Lost 15-29 Lost 12-33 Won 38-15 Won 26-12
Tiverton RFC         Won    
Taunton School Lost 7-23 Won 40-0 Lost 7-10   Lost Won 56-0 Won 22-7
Uffculme              
Sherborne Lost 8-24 cWon 15-10 dLost 0-29   Lost Lost 14-39 Lost 17-21
King's Bruton canc' canc' canc' canc' canc' canc' canc'
Monmouth School Lost 10-15            
Opposition 2nd XV U16B U16C U15B U15C U14B U14C
Cheltenham College   Lost 0-60   Won 29-12   Lost 5-28  
Shebbear A Won 24-12     Lost 5-10   Lost 0-20  
Exeter School           Won 31-0  
Bristol Grammar   Lost 12-23   Lost 0-39      
King's Taunton   Won 49-10   Won 60-5      
Kingswood       Won 15-7      
Bryanston   Lost 10-39   Lost 12-18 Canc' Won 25-12 Lost 5-65
Clifton College A   Lost 21-26   Won 27-19 Lost 0-50 Lost 5-22  
Clifton College H   Won 20-17 Lost 21-26   Lost 7-39   Lost 10-12
Kingsley A       Won 48-5      
Taunton School   Won 32-19   Won 51-0   Won 37-0  
Uffculme A       Won 53-5      
Sherborne   Lost 12-29   Won 32-5   Won 27-12 Lost 0-29
Heathfield              
King's Bruton   canc'   canc'   canc'  
Monmouth School              
Opposition U13A U13B U13C U13D U12A U12B
Cheltenham College Won 40-19          
Christ's C Brecon            
Uffculme U12A     Lost 0-32      
Uffculme A   Lost 5-19        
Bristol Grammar Won 75-0 Lost 0-58     Lost 5-20  
Exeter School Won 48-26   bLost 0-74      
Kingswood   Won 38-17        
Clayesmore 7s            
Exeter Cathedral A   Lost 17-26        
St Peter's, Lympstone A Won 59-15 Won        
The Downs, Wraxall Won 12-3          
Mount House Won Won        
Wellington School Won 75-0 Won 26-5 Lost 5-29 Lost 15-22    
St Peter's, Exeter A            
Taunton Prep' Won 64-0 Lost 12-14 Won 15-12      
Clifton Preparatory Won 43-7 Lost 7-36        
Plymouth College            
King's Hall Won Won Lost 5-37      

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Rugby Sevens 2010/11

Opposition 1st U16 U15 U14 U13
Wellington     Semi-finals    
Bryanston Semi-finals     Semi-finals  
Blundell's   Group     Canc'
E. Devon     1st =   Won
Millfield Runners-up        
Brecon Semi-finals        
Devon Won   Won   Won
Port Regis         Won
Sherborne          
Prior Park       Runners-up  
West of England Runnersup Runners-up      
Worcester     Won Plate    
Rosslyn Park          

U13s win Port Regis 7s Tournament: The U13s continued their magnificent unbeaten season in all types of rugby by winning the prestigious Port Regis 7s. They won their pool comfortably by beating Sandroyd 38-0, Port Regis 28-7 & Perrott Hill 43-0. In the quarters they overcame Farleigh 35-5 and then in the semi-finals national regulars Caldicott found them too hot to handle by 24-14. Which brought a final against a strong Millfield which saw a magnificent performance and a 14-7 win. This was a weight limited tournament so National Barbarian Finn Neusinger and Will Scott were not allowed to play, which makes the result all the more impressive.

Sunday was the National Festival for the Prep School Barbarians at Rugby School. The day consisted of teams from 4 regions, South East, South West, North and Midlands at both U13 and U11 age groups. Due to the cancellation of the regional festivals the day was arranged into a tournament between all 4 teams at each age group.

Representing Blundell's were: -

  • U11 - Ben Stevens, Sam Maunder
  • U13 - Finn Neusinger, Ben Steer, Cameron Seymour and Ben Summers

In the U11 competition the Southwest team came second behind the Southeast. Both Blundell's boys excelled during the day and were given special mention by their coach from Cheltenham College. In the end Sam Maunder was selected for the national team while Ben Stevens was unlucky to miss out.

In the U13 competition the Southwest team also came second behind the Southeast, and all 4 boys played wonderful rugby. Cameron, Ben and Finn were all selected for the national team. This is an outstanding effort. Not only that but, Ben Steer was voted by the coaches as player of the day and Cameron Seymour was voted second behind him after scoring more than half of the Southwest team tries.

The U11 boys will be touring Dublin in March, whilst the U13 boys will be touring to Toulouse in April. The boys excelled on the rugby pitch and were outstanding ambassadors for the school in what was a very long but enjoyable day.

On another note Jack Maunder has been selected to play for the Independent Schools Barbarians at U14 level. They play a match against Northampton academy just after half term, followed by a tour to Biarritz at Easter.

The Barbarians seemed to bring out the best in Blundellians! RJH

The U15 Sevens squad duly won the Devon 7s. The boys had a very successful day in the Devon Finals today. They made rather heavy weather of the last two matches, but came through victorious as Devon Champions. They played some very accomplished sevens, and really dug in deep when it mattered. I am obviously very proud of their achievement.

POOL

vs Coombeshead WON 43-0
vs Pilton WON 46-5
vs WON Kelly 40-5

SEMI-FINAL

vs Torquay Grammar School WON 12-7
FINAL vs Exeter School WON 40-17

Squad

Reid, Grandfield, Verney, Hamilton, Pilkington, Boddington, Miyamoto, Canterbury, Scott, Love. DJS

U14s Bryanston Sevens: The boys had an excellent day today in an extremely competitive tournament. There were some super sides from schools such as Sherborne, Bryanston, Colstons, Kings Worcester, Llandaff, Cheltenham, Whitgift, Wellington College, Abingdon and Rugby.

POOL

vs Stowe DREW 14-14
Tries: Maunder, Pilkington
Cons: Hydleman 2
A slow start to the competition. This was a game we should have won.

vs Bryanston WON 34-5
Tries: Hawkes, Hydleman, Maunder 2, Pilkington 2
Cons: Maundeer, Hydleman
A fantastic game. We totally dominated Bryanston in all areas.

vs Sherborne WON 24-0
Tries: Hawkes 2, Maunder, Pilkington
Cons: Hydleman 2
Another superb game against a strong Sherborne side. The boys really woke up in this game and played some excellent rugby. They pressed brilliantly and turned over ball, won back ball from kick-offs, and moved the ball to the wing to score some excellent tries. The best rugby I have seen them play.

As a result of these games, we comfortably topped the group.

Quarter-final

vs Truro School WON 28-0

Semi-final

vs Cheltenham LOST 20-0
The game was much closer than the score suggests. We should have scored in the first minute, but were turned over a yard from the line and they ran it back to score. We had several other opportunties to score, but couldn't quite finish them off. In the last play of the game Hawkes went through and thought he had scored, however, he had grounded the ball a yard short, they then ran back the length to score. Wardle and Pilkington both came off injured. A sad end to a great day!

Overall, I am incredibly proud of the way that the boys performed today. They have really matured as a team, and I feel that they turned a corner today. DJS

TEAM

Hawkes, Wardle, Clarke, Maunder, Pilkington, Hydleman, Roberts, Willder, Thomas, Michelmore

[ TOP ]

Rugyby Sevens Blundell's U18 at Rosslyn Park

1940 Rosslyn Park Sevens winnersRosslyn Park Sevens 1940 Winners

Blundell's won the first Rosslyn Park Public Schools Rugby Sevens Tournament that they entered.

Pictured to the right are: D Chapman, RDM Penny, WJ Hotblack (Capt'), HW Thuillier, RLF Mitchell, LGW Baker, P Lawson.

Stage Opposition Result
Opening
matches 		v U.C.S. Won 15 - 0
v St George's, Harpenden Won 13 - 0
v Tonbridge Won 17 - 0
v Stonyhurst Won 23 - 0
Semi-final  v St Edward's, Oxford Won 11 - 8
Final  v Dulwich Won 28 - 0

Rosslyn Park Sevens 1981 Winners

Rosslyn Park Record of Finals
Competition Year Opposition Result
Open 1940 v Dulwich College Won 28 - 0
Festival 1981 v Monmouth School Won 16 - 8
1983 v Ampleforth Lost 16 - 18
1993 v King's Canterbury Lost 17 - 21
1995 v Wellington College Lost 5 - 27

1981 Rosslyn Park Sevens winners
Back row: PG Whitlock, R Maltby, Cardinal Hume presenting the Cup, Mr TI Barwell (Master i/c Rugby), SA Watts (Capt'), J Massie, WT Carden. Front row: IM Brierley, RJ Taverner, GW Watts, absent due to injury: RJ Procter-Smith.

The rugby pitches on Amory patiently await action, shrouded in early morning mist

Rugby Archive
2002/3  Summary | Sevens   1st XV Captains 

1st XV Photos

History of Rugby
at Blundell's
2003/4  Summary | Sevens 
2004/5  Summary | Sevens 
2005/6  Summary | Sevens 
2006/7 Summary | Sevens
2007/8 Summary | Sevens
2008/9 Summary | Sevens
2009/10 Summary | Sevens