Super team performances from our boys' rugby teams

Match reports from a great week of rugby from our U8s through to our 1st XV

U8AS v Beeston Hall                   Score 1st game: 1 tries to 3 and 2nd game: 2 tries to 2 U8AS v Town Close                     Score 1st game: 1 tries to 4 and  2nd game: 3 tries to 5

LPS@TH played both teams twice in an afternoon of tag rugby at Beeston Hall. Lessons were learnt in the first encounters, and it was extremely pleasing to see the team take on board coaching points to improve their play, and improve their result in the second encounters. Though we lost or drew in our matches, the team showed good spirit, particularly when facing Town Close, who were fielding a Year 4 side. Tries were the result of good passing and link-up play, and there was a great display of tagging as our confidence grew. The team thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon and represented the School well on and off the pitch.

Team: Sam T, Thomas S, Henry D, Charles B, George C, Jasper J, Archie S, Oliver G, Reuben B.

U11B v Gresham’s      Score: 2 tries to 9 A traditionally tough fixture against a strong Gresham’s U11B side proved to be too much for a spirited LPS@TH who tried hard to compete away from home yesterday. Captain Aaron S will be pleased with the defensive commitment shown by some key the members of the 11-man squad, tackling well himself and joined by Isaac L, Austin K, Charlie B, Alex S and Alex C who all tackled consistently well all game. Strong running in attack was also in evidence throughout the match from Alex S, Max Z, Charlie B and Isaac L, who carried well and got the team on the front foot on numerous occasions with LPS@TH scoring a try in both halves. MOTM Isaac L set up the try of the match with a typically jinky run (scored by Max Z) after Charlie B ran half the length of the field to secure good ruck ball and set a platform for the score. Gresham’s, however, proved to be too strong on the day, exploiting LPS@TH’s narrow defence to score 9 tries in total and finish the game 9-2 ahead at the final whistle. Freddie M and William N both put in improved second-half performances to help their team compete. Although the score was not in favour of the away side, there were bright passages of play and LPS@TH certainly contributed to an enjoyable game. Well done to all the players who represented the School and contributed to a very entertaining afternoon of rugby.

Team: Charlie B, Alex S, Oscar T, Alex C, Isaac L (MOTM), Freddie M, Max Z, Bradey M, William N, Aaron S, Austin K

2nd XII v Beeston Hall     Score: 65-10 The 2nd XII demonstrated immense skill and well-executed team play as they battled it out with Beeston Hall at home. The boys were able to communicate effectively and make great use of space in order to successfully manipulate the defence and outdo some very resilient opposition. Captain George B and vice-captain Danny W led the team with immense composure, while Myles M and Joseph G sniffed out perfect counter-rucking opportunities to make great steals. Speedsters Jack W and Harry S-C found themselves on the end of some well-crafted team tries, while an enormous thanks must go to Ryan W, who courteously volunteered to play the first half of the match for an undermanned opposition. Many fine individual performances were only consolidated by masterfully executed team play, and credit must go to all of the boys for being so committed at both training and on game-day. While the result is extremely promising for future fixtures, it is imperative that the boys do not get complacent. There are still many elements of the game to improve, such as the execution of set piece plays and collective defensive skill.

Team: George B (capt), Jack W, Will S, Isaac B, Harry H, Alfie S, Joseph G, Charlie H, Ryan W, James C, Harry S-C, Myles M, Danny W, Campbell T, Neo S, Nathan M and Luca P.

1st XV v Beeston Hall     Score: 35-0 This was a far closer game than the score suggests. Beeston battled hard in defence and it took 15 minutes before the first try. Once the boys started working more as a team and less as individuals our off-load game became more effective and gaps in the Beeston defence began to appear. In the second half, the boys’ game continued to improve and their four further tries were the result of good lines of running and support for the ball carrier. A good win against a determined opposition.

Team: Will M, Jayden B, Arthur C, Joseph G, James H, George B, Danny W, Sam H, Archie W, Archie S, Elliott H, Jack W, Harvey P, Benjy H, William B, Charlie H

U10A v Gresham’s       Score: 25-0

This was probably our best performance of the season. It was a very tough and physical match which was much more evenly contested than the score would suggest. Bertie C scored midway through the first half. We then had to defend our line for a good period, before Lennon T scored two tries just before half time. We started the second half strongly, again tackling resolutely and defending as a team. Bertie finished off a fine team move before James M ran the length of the pitch to score with the final move of the match. It was a really hard fought, but very satisfying performance which shows how far the boys have come this term. Well done.

Team: Bertie C (capt) Oscar M, Oliver D, Lennon T, James M, Ethan C, Joe P, Sam G, Archie C

U11A v Gresham’s Score 9-3 After a quick warm-up, the U11A boys sprang into action with some impressive tackling. Within minutes of thwarting a Gresham’s attack, some slick passing led to the first try for Le Sean S. Gresham’s responded instantly with some quick running of their own to level the score. Our boys worked hard to create space: Alex M and Charl M combined well in the half-backs to open up gaps for our wider runners. It was not long before we scored our second try with a great run from Joel F. Again, Gresham’s bounced back and leveled the score. Ben S, Tafadswa S, Louis M and Daniel G were highly impressive at the break-down as they worked hard to ruck the ball. Le Sean managed to run in several more tries to take the game to 4-2 at the break. After the half-time interval, the boys came out all guns blazing! The tackling from all was ferocious but particular note to Joel F, Daniel G and Rory R who didn’t miss a thing. Louis M managed to grab a try – rather than running around the defender, he decided to run through the defender to extend our lead. Gresham’s never gave up but they struggled to contain a Langley team full of confidence. Further tries from Alex, Rory and Le Sean took the final score to 9-3. It was a super team performance with excellent displays from each and every boy. The boys should be very proud of their efforts.

Team: Ben S, Louis M, Daniel G, Tafadswa S, Charl M, Alex M, Joel F, Joel F, Rory R, Le Sean S,