Team sports got underway this week, and we have a full raft of fixtures scheduled for Saturday, 13 September. This week, we highlight two outstanding individual achievements and dodge the downpours as rugby kicks off.

Basketball

Helena S’s team (Richmond Knights Girls – Hope) won the 3×3 charity Cancerbae event in Essex, beating other National League teams and England programme players. They were undefeated.

Helena remains on the Aspire programme and is part of the London Super Region.

Tennis

Congratulations to Ben C, who had a brilliant summer of tennis. He climbed 40 places in his rankings, winning several tournaments or reaching the finals in his own age group (still only in his first year of 14U), as well as in the 16U and 18U categories.

His highlight was his first 14U Grade 3 singles title at Royal Wootton Bassett Tennis Club, Swindon — a notable achievement, as Grade 3 events with 32-player draws are highly competitive. He also had an impressive run at the Penzance Open, a one-week tournament where he competed across the 14U, 16U and 18U age groups.

Some of his matches started as late as 9pm, played under floodlights with music. Over the course of the week, Ben played 14 matches — including a gruelling 3-hour 15-minute battle to reach the semi-finals, where he defeated the number one seed, a much older and physically stronger opponent.

 

Wins:

  • 14U Grade 3 Singles Winner – Royal Wootton Bassett Tennis Club, Swindon
  • 18U Grade 5 Singles Winner – Tennis Avenue, New Malden
  • 14U Grade 4 Doubles Winner – Croydon

 

Finalist: 

  • 14U Grade 3 Singles Finalist – Penzance, Cornwall
  • 14U Grade 3 Doubles Finalist – Royal Wootton Bassett Tennis Club, Swindon
  • 16U Grade 3 Doubles Finalist – Penzance, Cornwall

Rugby

1st XV v Ewell Castle

The senior rugby team kicked off their season with a home game against Ewell Castle. The weather conditions meant that flowing rugby was never going to be on the cards. With a new-look and relatively inexperienced side, captain Conall looked to attack the Ewell Castle defence, unleashing Josh H and his dazzling footwork.

The pack aimed to dominate the breakdown, with Billy S and Oscar R carrying the ball strongly. Billy crossed the line to get Claremont on the board. Ewell battled hard and were 12–7 up going into the final quarter, but Claremont were not giving in.

Adam K carried hard against his former school, setting up Josh C for a well-taken try. A pressure kick from Tristan secured a 15–12 win for Claremont.

Player of the Match went to Johnny K for some outstanding running.

U16 v Richmond upon Thames School

The first outing of the season for our nascent U16 squad was played in the lea of Twickenham Stadium (sorry, of course, I mean the Allianz Stadium!), adjacent to Harlequins’ Stoop Ground, under glowering grey skies.

Claremont’s initial effervescence soon fell flat as the hosts’ try tally reached seven. Claremont battled hard in defence, with Ash making some determined tackles and Alfie carrying strongly, but the backline failed to click for much of the game. They were unable to break through, except for a particularly well-worked try that sent Fred W scuttling away down the left.

Three tries to one down at the break, Claremont struggled to contain Richmond’s fly-half on the 3G pitch, falling off tackles as the home side added four more scores. While Claremont showed no lack of effort, the team will need to bring greater shape and structure to future performances.

Chester was a deserved Player of the Match, kicking well and tackling tirelessly across the field.

U13A v Dunottar & U13B v Dunottar

The heavens well and truly opened across the open plains at Old Reigatians, as both our Under 13A and B teams battled the elements and youthful inexperience in an attempt to play some rugby.

Dunottar led in both games before play was halted twice by the deluge. With swirling winds, hail, thunder, and thoroughly drenched players, the prudent decision was made to call the games off.

Tries from Alex and Paolo in the B game were well deserved. These two scores were followed, fittingly, by pairs of animals boarding the Ark.

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