Rugby
1st XV v Radnor House
After a two-week half-term break, the seniors were keen to keep the momentum going. A depleted squad due to illness saw 19 boys take on Radnor House at home. The first fifteen minutes saw Claremont defend their own line. Once with ball in hand, Claremont built the score with tries from Billy and a solo break from Josh H. Half-time saw the side reset and look to dominate the breakdowns. Zac D-T demonstrated why he was player of the match with his physicality at the breakdown. Raahil ran riot in the midfield with powerful runs. Ethan dived in to take the game away from Radnor House, and in the closing moments, a well-worked try from the lineout saw Josh H dive in the corner for the win.
U15 v St George’s Weybridge
Continental Schools Cup – Round 3
The U15 squad faced St George’s, Weybridge in the third round of the Continental Cup. The weather gods smiled down on a thrilling match — a credit to both schools — the result in the balance throughout.
Claremont led through a well-worked peel around the front of the lineout, Giles H too powerful for the home defence. George’s hit back, scoring wide right as their policy to run and handle almost every ball paid off. Half-time, and all to play for, the sizeable crowd wrapped in the tension. George’s extended their lead with a penalty, before Lucas R seized onto an interception and raced home from his own 10-metre line, Eden’s conversion providing Claremont with a fragile two-point lead. As the penalty count soared against the visitors, that slender lead looked ever more vulnerable, George’s awarded what proved to be the decisive three-pointer with six minutes left to play.
Claremont had defended superbly throughout, two try-line tackles holding the ball up, demonstrating real desire. The physicality was high, with massive shots from Max, Ed and Hector, who was at the heart of everything — the dynamic heartbeat of this titanic tussle. George’s managed the closing minutes well, Claremont unable to force a winning score, but in scoring two tries to one and throwing themselves into every challenge, the team should feel they could not have given more. The frustration at the end was palpable — a game that slipped away by the narrowest of margins. As many look to step up to the 1st XV next year, they will get another chance in the U18 Cup. The whole coaching squad are so impressed with the boys and proud of their resilient performance on the day.
U15A v Fidelis
With victory a formality, Claremont rang the changes and had some positional fun in this one-sided run-out. Fidelis were simply not strong enough to cope, the game ending early — a shame in some ways — as the team prepare for the Continental Schools Cup fixture away at St George’s, Weybridge on Thursday 13 November.
U14A v Fidelis
The U14A squad strolled to a comprehensive victory against Fidelis, scoring eight tries, principally in a dominant first half. The vast majority of this team enjoyed the Italy tour, that experience evident, the cohesion of this squad increasingly apparent. Two tries for Jay, Freddie H and captain Will C were complemented by scores for Tom and Roshi, and seven conversions from Jack.
The first period brought the seasonal fireworks: six tries scored in one-way traffic to establish a 40–0 half-time lead. As is often the case, ease gave way to complacency, Fidelis far more combative in the second half, which saw both teams score two tries. Claremont took their foot off the pedal, but the visitors certainly made the game more competitive in this second period.
There was some excellent handling on show, though a reliance on individuals ahead of teamwork is still something to work on. While there will be tougher opponents ahead, this satisfying victory shows the progress this squad is making. There were several contenders for PoM — Will C just ahead, with two tries and the most generous of gifts for Roshi, passing to him when already over the line to forgo a hat-trick!
U14B
The boys arrived feeling confident about this fixture following a comfortable win in the first game of the season. However, the first five minutes reflected a few weeks of holiday, and it took time for any structured play to return. Initially, individual brilliance from captain Freddie F broke the deadlock, and then another barnstorming run from Dylan P increased the lead. These two scores settled the nerves and, from here on, the forwards began to assert their dominance. In both the scrum and open play, they won their own and opponents’ ball, laying the foundation for the backs to run into the midfield. Oscar R is beginning to find his feet, and he is a difficult man to stop when he gets going. The handling became more fluent, and when Dylan P and George B combined in the centre the game could quickly have degenerated, as George scored two quick tries.
The second half saw some changes of personnel. Tom GS became a flanker and his impact in this role was close to astonishing. He may not have enjoyed the role as much as his normal position, but he was always the first man to a breakdown. He was so quick he almost never had any competition, particularly in securing our own ball. When he did get the ball in hand, he always made ground. If this performance was good, the standout performance on the day had to be something very special. Barney has always been a worker in this team, trying to get into position to make an impact, and today he did. His ball carrying and work in the loose were excellent. He got the team going forward and, from his drives, the opportunities for the backs to score inevitably came. This was an excellent team performance and one the boys should be very proud of. It sets them up nicely for what will undoubtedly be a more difficult challenge next week.
U13A v Fidelis
Claremont faced a strong Fidelis side who opened the scoring early, capitalising on their dominance at the breakdown and some excellent jackalling work. Fidelis also impressed with their tackling and physicality in contact, making it difficult for Claremont to establish rhythm in the first half.
Despite the early pressure, Claremont grew into the game. Jeffrey W was exceptional at the breakdown, competing fiercely for possession, while Jimmy W stood out in defence with a series of powerful tackles. The second half saw a much-improved and more cohesive defensive display from the hosts, with first tackles becoming more effective and team organisation much sharper. Charlie B powered over for several tries following determined work from the forwards, showcasing strength and determination close to the line.
Will G finished off two superb team tries, the second after a flowing passage of play involving almost every player on the field — a clear example of the team’s growing unity and attacking structure. Although the match began with challenges, Claremont showed great resilience, teamwork and progress, ending the game on a high note.
