Rugby Week
The third annual Rugby week took place between 24th - 28th November 2014. It included six floodlit matched with every age group playing, international rugby stars coaching the boys (including Chris Ashton and Tom Varndell), RFU coaching and referee courses and a Prep Schools rugby players' evening. It was a fantastic, action-packed week!
Stephen Wright Cup
1st XV v Shiplake College - Win – 15-0
MOM: Tebboth
MVP: Louis Rose
With the floodlights shining brightly, it was a perfect evening for the Stephen Wright Cup match. Taylors’ dominated in every area, showing their power at the scrum and their ability to grind down the opposition. Fifth Former James Seabrook crept over off the back of a fantastic Taylors’ driving maul and Alex Wheal crashed through the defence to score the second try. In the second half Barney Close put the final nail in Shiplake, adding a penalty.
2nd XV v ASL - Won – 54-0
MOM: Chris Jervis
MVP: Luca Jellicoe
MTS 2nd XV seized their opportunity under the floodlights and a high-scoring win recorded, though the game was tight for long periods.A kicking master-class from Chris Jervis, (with a brace of tries thrown in),secured the man-of-the-match accolade but the team’s recent performances have been based on an aggressive defensive effort, usually led by MVP Luca Jellicoe. Well played, gentlemen!
U16A v Skinners - Lost – 27-7
MOM: Hall
This was a real test for the U16A team.They fought exceptionally hard in a real physical battle for 40 minutes keeping the score tied at 7-7, with both teams playing some great rugby. The second half saw Skinners pile on the pressure and score some well-worked tries. This was such a fantastic match that we are already looking forward to a return fixture in Rugby Week next year.
U15A v Mill Hill - Win – 32-5
MOM: Joseph Burling
A sense of occasion can either bring out the best or the worst in individuals. Pleasingly, the sense of occasion and playing under lights brought out the best in our boys. MTS played at a high tempo throughout the game and very rarely gave the visiting team a chance to settle. The decision making and contact skills of this group remain their key strengths and they showed much improved levels of execution.This was a fine, memorable performance, of which the boys can feel truly proud!
U14A v Mill Hill - Won – 29-10
The U14As put in a strong second half performance to see off a combative Mill Hill side. Scoring after only 1 minute paradoxically gave the boys a false sense of security: there was a clear sense from the forwards that they thought this was going to be an easy game. A lack of intensity at the breakdown meant that they struggled to create quick ball, whilst sloppy decision making in later phases and out wide meant that the team went into the break with only a slender 10-5 lead. The second half saw an improvement, with some splendid individual tries, while the backline got the team on the front foot in attack and improved their line speed in defence.
U13A v Northwood Prep - Won – 15-12
MOM: Tom Szostak
MVP: Dylan Byrne
MTS U13A kicked off Rugby Week infine style with a thrilling game that was a credit to both teams. Northwood Prep was a physically large team with powerful runners across the pitch, but heroic tackling kept them at arm’s length until the final few minutes when the visitors could easily have snatched a win.The home team included players from the 3rds, one or two of whom were completely new to the game, but they played ‘real rugby’ and produced a game worthy of the 1st XV pitch on which it took place. The ferocity at the breakdown and the skill level in open play belied the limited preparation time, (squeezed into lunchtime sessions), and the age of those on view. MoM Tom Szostak enjoyed the freedom of a back row berth and MVP Dylan Byrne organised, sniped, and defended just as a scrum-half should. Sean Duggan drove, ‘Yogi’ Khurjekar rampaged and Bert Edwards galloped but all 21 played their own vital part in a fabulous performance. Well played, gentlemen!
2nd XV v Shiplake College - Won – 35-17
MOM: Zak Lalani
MVP: Jasper Kurek-Smith
After a delayed start ‘the 2s’ wasted no time in recording their first points within 30 seconds of the whistle.Thereafter, MTS played in fits and starts producing breath-taking running rugby and frustrating errors in almost equal measure. A spirited Shiplake team played their part but never threatened an ever-improving 2nd XV, many of whom were understandably tired, playing their third game in eight days.
3rd XV v Shiplake College - Won – 7-5
MOM: James Murphy
MVP: Archie Vaughan
The 3rd XV won a hard fought game intough conditions against an organised Shiplake team. The boys intelligently adapted their game to suit the conditions and would have enjoyed a much larger winning margin in better conditions.
Prep School Rugby Evening
Before the big 'Friday Night Lights' match, 26 rising stars from local school took part in a floodlit rugby training session on the 1st XV pitch. The Year 5 and 6 boys were nominated by their respective Heads of Sport to take part in the inaugural running of this event and the standard of rugby on display clearly vindicated their selection. Despite coming at the end of a full school week there was zeal, energy and rugby talent in abundance. Not event presentations on 'MTS Rugby' and 'MTS Sports Scholarship Programme' could dampen their enthusiasm and once refuelled and rehydrated the boys formed a rousing guard of honour to welcome both teams onto the pitch before watching MTS prevail over Shiplake in a fixture that they may well play in five or six years down the line.
The schools in attendance were: Northwood Prep, Manor Lodge, St. John's, Chesham Prep, St. Martin's, George Street, Clifton Lodge, Aldwickburt and Orley Farm.
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