Rugby
1st XV v CLFS
A tough day for Claremont in a well balanced fixture. Claremont lost two key players in the opening 15 minutes, which rocked the balance of the back line. Conall and Ben both had to leave the field for HIA. Freemens scored two soft tries which gave them a 10-0 lead at half time. The team battled hard and Marcus R at fullback for the first time this season ran with grit and determination but on this occasion Freemens, who kept their cool under relentless pressure from Claremont, held out. Player of the match went to Marcus for his outstanding performance.
U16 v CLFS
Hot on the heels of two weeks of exams, the game began with a few students still in exam mode. Having been in the warm buildings of Orchard for a fortnight, the chill that the rest of Surrey had experienced over the past week appeared to have passed the mighty U16 side by as we began with some rust on the system. Ash V certainly knocked the rust off with a thumping tackle early on, setting out his own personal stall for the day. There were strong carries by Leo S and Joe C but we struggled to retain our own ball and spent the majority of the first half defending stoically.
Towards the end of the first half we managed to assert some control and found our rhythm. From a well worked lineout, Alex T was able to peel off the back and crash over for our first score. This was swiftly followed up by a contender for try of the season, when Chester E H picked off his opposite man at the back of a lineout and scampered from half way to score, picking himself up to slot the conversion as well. The team was in buoyant mood going into half time just two scores adrift. Sadly, the result (like the weather) went against us but everyone put in a commendable effort. Ash led the way with some fantastic defensive hits, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake and claimed the man of the match award.
U16 v Richard Challinor
A great contest. Claremont took an early lead from the kick off and it was apparent that the work that had been done during the week had really bedded in with the boys, who racked up phase after phase before slick handling saw them plough over to open the scoring. Richard Challoner were quick to hit back, some excellent athleticism from the RC centre and a couple of missed tackles, before some heroic cover defence forced the score to be made out wide, the opposition fly half missing the crucial conversion.
The score going into the final minute of the first half was 14-10 to Claremont but a sloppy lineout delivery forced an interception pass in the dying seconds meaning that despite being dominant in the first period, Claremont went in trailing by a score.
The second half unfortunately saw Richard Challoner’s power in the backfield shine through but some defensive prowess saw the Claremont boys hold them to just two scores and then showed some phenomenal grit to close out the game with a try for the home team. All in all, an excellent performance against a quality opposition where the attitude on display was second to none.
U16 v St James
The U16 came away with a hard earned and richly deserved victory in their penultimate match of the season. Two tries carried the day, with battling performances from Alfie, Alex T, Hugo, Rafferty and notably PoM Seb W up front, paving the way. The defence was solid, at times excellent, Claremont scrambling furiously despite plenty of possession for the visitors. One particular try saving tackle from Leo retained the two score margin at a time when St James were in the ascendancy. Claremont’s tries came from Alex T and Hugo, perhaps fitting on a day when the forward pack did so much to seal this victory. Chester added the two conversions, the smiling faces in the team photo evidence enough of how hard the boys fought for this precious win.
U15A v CLFS
The U15A unbeaten record remains intact but this was by no means a comfortable victory. On a day when wingers clung on to the iceberg for dear life, CLFS provided Claremont with their first genuine test of the term, the biting wind and rain contributing to an attritional morning. Claremont won an important toss, opting to play uphill into the elements in the first period. At the interval, with the game in the balance, the wisdom of this decision was apparent, the icy chill worsening, the significant slope making it extremely challenging for the hosts to break free from their own half. Five tries from Lucas (2), Max, Ed and Archie beat three home scores, Eden adding two conversions and kicking well from hand to pin CLFS deep in their own territory. Ed ran hard as always, Hector again a tackling tsunami, but Max takes PoM this week, his relentless running splintering the defence, bouncing defenders for fun, energy personified. Two games to go; retain the structure, stay disciplined in activating the layers we have added, retain focus, keep doing what you are all doing so well.
U15B v CLFS
The U15Bs came out the deserved victors in their match against Freemens on Saturday. With both teams light on numbers, the game was played 10 vs 10, with plenty of space for both teams to attack into. The conditions were grim but the boys did brilliantly to rally back from going behind early and really took control of the game in the second half due to their determination, hard running and some opportunistic scores to capitalise on opposition mistakes. A huge well done to all the boys that attended.
U14B v CLFS
Cold and wet, so perfect rugby weather. CLFS were short on numbers so to make sides equal, Claremont lent some players. Initially this still left Claremont altogether too dominant with several easy tries in the first few minutes. However, some slightly more interesting substitutions created a much more even contest. Structure may have suffered as a result of these changes but without the more dominant boys playing, the team had to come together and step up. What then happened was outstanding. Performances for CLFS by Luis, Zack and Charlie were excellent, particularly Luis who from the very start led the charge, carrying the ball brilliantly, contesting at the breakdown and generally being the centre of everything good. He maintained this for the whole game. George B was equally strong. His running with the ball is outstanding and he ran in tries, first for Claremont and then 3 for CLFS. More important was the excellent tackling of George by Claremont who showed other schools how this can be done.
In a game where the sides changed continually and people played continually out of position, the standout performer was Tom GS. He played at flanker and as one of the smallest players on the pitch, he produced by far the best performance. His tackling was exceptional, making tackle after tackle, then being fastest to his feet and jackaling to regain possession, but even more impressive was his ball carrying. He has plenty of pace and uses this speed to burst through the smallest hole. Ben E played his first game today and along with many other boys, Arti, Locky, Nate and Reggie, played their part in making a match that could have been disappointing into a brilliant, competitive experience that all 35 boys both played a part in and made great progress.
U13A v CLFS
In challenging conditions, the team delivered a superb all round performance full of determination, discipline and attacking intent. Charlie B was the standout finisher on the day, powering over the line for four outstanding tries, each one a powerful, unstoppable run from inside the 22. His strength and direct running set the tone for the team’s momentum.
Max C added a brilliant long range try of his own, beating defenders with a wicked sidestep before accelerating into open space. It was a moment of individual brilliance that lifted the whole squad. At fly half, Jimmy W led the team with maturity and intelligence. His decision making kept the play direct and effective, guiding the attack and ensuring the team maintained structure even as the weather deteriorated. Despite the adverse conditions, the players adapted quickly, supported one another and produced one of their most cohesive performances of the season. A thoroughly impressive display from the entire team.
U12A v CLFS
A tough fixture for the 12As; from the kick off Freemens made full use of the space out wide, breaking tackles to score in the left corner. The poor start did jolt the Claremont boys into action who rallied well but unfortunately could not convert any pressure they created into points. The best opportunities to score were unfortunately dashed as small errors, knock ons and loose passes in critical areas cost Claremont several points.
There were some good carries by Leo and James throughout the match but unfortunately a lack of accuracy prevented us from creating a real foothold on the match. Some outstanding performances included scrum half Harrison, who despite being under loads of pressure at the breakdown, provided a consistently strong delivery to our ball carriers. All in all, a humbling experience but some flashes of quality that need to be nurtured. Work to be done in the week around tackling, especially in the wide channels, and instilling some respect for possession.
