PERFECT START: Spalding Grammar School’s under-12 rugby team are pictured before their first-ever game together against Oundle. They went to to win by a whopping 53-0. Back (from left) – Reuben Gray, Luke Hood, Angus Bell, Ben Faulder, Sam Chew, Fabian Simpson, Thomas Moxon, Cameron McCullum, Daniel Eaton, Josh Baker; front – Jack Cunnington, James Clark, Joseph Hoyles, Harry Hudson, Connor Melton, Harry Holmes, John-Henry Biehler-Birch, Louis Pepe, Callum Green and Ben Baker. Photo supplied

‘Brilliant’ Spalding Grammar boys begin with a real bang

Spalding Grammar School’s under-12 rugby team got off to a emphatic start with a convincing 53-0 win at Oundle.

Despite just four training sessions with teacher Dave Endersbee and the coaching team of parent David Simpson and three older SGS students, the boys looked like a cohesive unit from the outset.

They went ahead just a few minutes in when some excellent rucking in the Oundle 22 saw the ball retained and then quickly switch through the backs for debutant winger Ben Baker to touch down.

A bombardment of SGS attacks followed, with the team showing their ability to play the game in patient phases – and they scored from most of their breaks to take the score to 34-0 at half time.

The second half saw a number of changes in positions for SGS, thus showing their adaptability.

Although the play was a little more disjointed, the spirit and effort remained to take the score to a dominant 53-0 before the final whistle.

Some seven of the 20-strong squad were playing their first ever game of rugby.

One of them, James Clark, said: “For our first game we were brilliant.

“The lads communicated really well and everything we did in training went to plan – from scrums and rucks to break and passing.

“All the boys played well, especially captain and man-of-the-match Harry Holmes, who led by example.

“The only thing I think we can improve on is making sure we get forwards to the break down quicker.

“Overall, it was a solid performance.”

Try scorers: Ben Baker (2), Josh Baker (2), Angus Bell (2), Louis Pepe, James Clark and Sam Chew.
Conversions: Fabian Simpson (4).

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