Rugby
i/c Rugby: Mr NJ Ridgway (njr@blundells.org)
| Rugby Archive |
2002 | Summary | 1st XV Captains 1st XV Photos |
| 2003 | Summary | Sevens | ||
| 2004 | Summary | Sevens | ||
| 2005 | Summary | Sevens | ||
| 2006 | Summary | Sevens |
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.
Norman Ridgway
Master i/c Rugby
Senior Rugby Tour to Canada, 2008
Match 1 - Blundell's v Calgary Hornets
The first match of the tour, played against the Calgary Hornets, was described by Mr Ridgway as a "fast and loose" game, with the boys scoring six tries in each half. James Woodcock was awarded the Man of the Match award by the opponents. The post match hospitality was excellent, with the boys being royally entertained at varying bonfires and parties. Blundell's won by 68-0.
Match 2 - Blundell's v Lethbridge
Blundell's continued their tour of Canada with an emphatic win over Lethbridge. After a blistering first fifteen minutes Blundell's made a big dent in the confidence of the Lethbridge side. Open expansive Rugby with a good supply of ball enabled a strong backline to score freely. The large Lethbridge pack was unable to get their hands on the ball and the slick handling skills of the Blundell’s team did not provide the opposition with a scrum until after fifteen minutes.
After a strong first half for Blundell's, the second half was more of a contest and the Lethbridge pack started to cause the Blundell's forwards some problems. The second half flagged up some areas that need developing, particularly around the forwards and in general team decision-making skills. Angus Yard was presented with the Man of the Match by the opposition. The team now move on to Regina to take on a district representative team that should provide a more significant challenge.
Match 3 - Blundell's v Regina District XV
A large and physical Regina District team provided Blundell’s with a tough challenge in this the third match of the tour. Unlike the previous games were and endless supply of ball provided the backs with endless scoring opportunities the forwards had to graft extremely hard in the opening exchanges particularly in open play. The well organised Regina defence Blundell’s little space to operate and enforced several handling errors and turnovers. Blundell’s had to raise their game in defence to prevent the home team crossing their line on several occasions. As the half progressed the forwards were able to dominate the set pieces and steal the opposition ball in both the scrums and lineout. By half time Blundell’s had established a 10-0 lead.
The second half saw Blundell’s begin to control the possession but a series of handling errors and poor decision making did not help the team convert this procession into points. The final whistle brought the game to a close with the score 22-0. Not a comfortable win and some areas for Mr Ridgway and Mr Brigden to develop and work on. However, in typical Blundell’s style the boys character and hard-work won through and there were many areas of play for the tour party to be pleased with.
We have been very fortunate as the hosts throughout the tour have been extremely helpful, friendly and accommodating. The tour continues on to Saskatoon with the party in good heart and enjoying both the rugby and the Canadian hospitality.
Match 4 - Blundell's v North Saskatchewan Rugby Union U19 Select
The Saskatoon Rugby Club arranged for this match to celebrate the official opening of the new rugby facility. The select team was drawn from several local teams, the Saskatoon Badgers, the Wild Oats, the Sask River dragons and the Sabres. The boys from Blundell’s did not disappoint the large crowd and produced probably their best performance of the tour and won the appreciation of a very enthusiastic crowd with their fast, open and slick handling skills.
The opposition consisted of the largest pack the boys had encountered, but technically they were out manoeuvred by Blundell’s. The decision making at half back and in the forwards had improved appreciably since the beginning of the tour and this prevented the large opposition forwards from getting any significant ball during the game. Good tackling from the Blundell’s mid field and back three enabled a large amount of turn over ball, and from this some very good quality moves were created. Fittingly the home side were able to score the first points against us on the tour just before half time and this was well received by the home crowd.
As we move through the midway point of the tour, Mr Ridgway has been able to see a significant improvement in both individual and team skills. The tour moral is high and we have been delighted with the way the boys have conducted themselves both on the pitch and off it. Our hosts have been delightful and extremely generous. The boys will have made many friendships that no doubt will be continued through ‘facebook’.
Rugby, 2007
2007/8 1st XV rugby squad
| 1st XV | 2nd XV | 3rd XV | U16A | U15A | U14A | |
| King's Worcester | Lost 17-27 | Won 48-0 | Won 26-5 | Won 59-0 | Won 44-0 | |
| Plymouth College | Lost 3-10 | Won 48-8 | Won 31-0 | Lost 7-28 | Won 83-0 | |
| Downside | ||||||
| Bristol Grammar | Won 37-0 | Won 27-0 | Won 48-0 | Won 10-6 | Won 32-0 | Won 24-14 |
| Millfield | Lost 0-62 | Lost 8-38 | Lost 0-31 | Lost 5-60 | Lost 7-17 | Lost 17-19 |
| King's Taunton | Lost 3-35 | Lost 5-46 | Won 24-10 | Lost 0-22 | Lost 12-17 | Won 65-0 |
| Bryanston | Lost 6-25 | Lost 7-10 | Lost 8-18 | Lost 0-7 | Won 29-0 | Lost 0-32 |
| Truro School | Won 22-12 | Won | ||||
| West Buckland | Won | Won 58-7 | Won 29-10 | |||
| Taunton School | Lost 8-25 | Won 38-5 | Won 14-0 | Drew 22-22 | Won 31-5 | Won 48-7 |
| QEH Bristol | Won 15-5 | Won 72-0 | Lost 7-11 | Won 29-3 | Won 56-0 | |
| Sherborne | Lost 6-13 | Lost 7-15 | Won 20-5 | Lost | Lost 10-12 | Won 31-7 |
| Christ's C, Brecon | Won 22-7 | |||||
| King's Bruton | Won 13-3 | |||||
| Monmouth School |
Other Fixtures
| 2nd XV | 3rd XV | 4th XV | U16B | U16C | U15B | U14B | U14C | |
| Shebbear A | Won 22-7 | Lost 7-27 | ||||||
| Plymouth College | Won 22-5 | |||||||
| Bristol Grammar | Lost 0-21 | Lost 5-17 | ||||||
| King's Taunton | Lost 10-41 | Won 17-7 | Won 29-5 | Won | ||||
| Millfield- away | Lost 5-68 | Lost 0-72 | Lost 19-36 | |||||
| Millfield - home | Lost 5-25 | |||||||
| Bryanston | Drew 10-10 | Lost 12-26 | ||||||
| Truro School | ||||||||
| West Buckland A | Lost 30-31 | |||||||
| Christ's Brecon B | Lost 19-42 | |||||||
| Grenville A | Won 31-12 | |||||||
| Uffculme School A | ||||||||
| St Peter's Exeter A | ||||||||
| Taunton School | Won 29-0 | Lost 21-29 | ||||||
| QEH Bristol | Won 31-20 | Lost 0-39 | ||||||
| Sherborne | Lost 14-28 | Lost 0-50 | Lost 0-46 | Lost 7-17 | Lost 0-65 | |||
| King's Bruton A/B | Lost 5-21 | Lost 10-12 | ||||||
| Downside | ||||||||
| Colyton Grammar A |
Sevens, 2008
| 1st | 2nd | U16 | U15 | U14 | U13 | |
| Bryanston | ||||||
| Blundell's | Pool | Runners-up | Won | 3rd | ||
| Millfield | Semi-final | Semi-final | ||||
| Brecon | ||||||
| Devon | Semi-final | |||||
| Port Regis | ||||||
| Sherborne | Semi-final | |||||
| Newbury | ||||||
| West of England | Pool | Runners-up | ||||
| Worcester | ||||||
| Rosslyn Park |
Sevens, 2007
| 1st | 2nd | U16 | U15 | U14 | U13 | |
| Bryanston | ||||||
| Blundell's | Won | Runners-up | Won | |||
| Millfield | Runners-up | Pool | ||||
| Brecon | Quarters | |||||
| Devon | ||||||
| Port Regis | ||||||
| Sherborne | ||||||
| Newbury | ||||||
| Taunton | ||||||
| Worcester | ||||||
| Rosslyn Park | Pool |
Blundell's U18 Rosslyn Park Record of Finals
| Open | 1940 | Won | 28-0 | v Dulwich College |
| Festival | 1981 | Won | 16-8 | v Monmouth School |
| 1983 | Lost | 16-18 | v Ampleforth | |
| 1993 | Lost | 17-21 | v King's Canterbury | |
| 1995 | Lost | 5-27 | v Wellington College | |
Rosslyn Park Sevens, 1981 Winners
PG Whitlock, R Maltby, Cardinal Hume presenting
the Cup, Mr TI Barwell (Master i/c Rugby), SA Watts (Capt'), J
Massie, WT Carden
IM Brierley, RJ Taverner, GW Watts, absent due to injury: RJ Procter-Smith
