Rugby Colts Tour to
Hereford, 1972-73

During the last week of the Spring term nineteen boys spent four enjoyable days on a rugby tour in Herefordshire.

Arriving in Hereford on the 1st April, the squad was split into two groups; twelve were to stay at Oaklands Hotel and the remaining seven at Ferncroft Hotel. Both were to prove very satisfactory.

The squad was decidedly below strength for the tour; three players were unable to travel due to other commitments, another three sustained injuries just before the tour add to this the three first team members lost during the season, and it is little wonder that Mr. Kerr was forced to recruit would be debutants. The seriousness of the situation was underlined by the fact that we had only seven backs on tour. Nevertheless the entire squad, to their credit, played with great zest and enthusiasm throughout.

On Monday April 2nd we played our first match against Minster School. Although a highly spirited performance was produced the team never looked like winning after failing to make use of the strong following wind in the first half. A forward dominated game finally ended 4-3 in favour of Minster.

The following day was free so we took the opportunity to see the spectacular Elan Valley in Radnorshire.

On Wednesday we played our second match against Belmont Abbey, a large public school, with a reputation for a very high standard of rugby. The team, however, failed to rise to the occasion, looking jaded and producing only isolated periods of good rugby. Consequently Belmont ran out winners by 12-6. This defeat made us all the more determined to win the remaining match on Thursday against the school that kindly arranged our fixtures, Bishop's.

As expected, it was the toughest game of the tour, and although we trailed at half-time it was evident from our first half performance that we had every chance of winning. After a hard, exciting and close fought game, Saints claimed an eventual victory by 14-12, producing not only the best rugby of the tour, but also one of the most fervid performances of the season. It was therefore on a high note and in good spirits that we returned to Northwood Hills the following afternoon.

R. Bentley, 4B