Latest Rugby News – Seniors on Tour, Ducks in Form
Last week the Senior Rugby Squad travelled north to take on Methody College in two friendly fixtures. The First XV took on Methody 3rds and they were well matched, although St. Columba’s probably felt that it was a game they should have won. Tries from Aifo Ebeleghe and Hector Wright (one conversion from Callum Pery Knox Gore) weren’t enough as the home sided edged out the game. The Second XV took on Methody 4ths and sadly lost heavily. The full squad then went onto to Ravelhill to see Ulster edge out a narrow victory against Exeter Chiefs in the European Rugby Champions Cup – our boys kicking off ‘The Fields’ in a fitting tribute to Anthony Foley.
On the same day the JCT took on Clongowes J3’s in a friendly game at home. Despite their best efforts, a couple of individual tries from the visitors’ star player saw victory to the boys in purple and white. SCC scored a couple of good tries through Thady Mckeever and Andrew Pollock (Thady converting one) but the game ended 27-12 to Clongowes Wood. Many thanks to the Warden, Mr. Mark Boobbyer for refereeing the game.
The Leps welcomed Belevdere College’s U14 C’s to Kilmashogue Lane but they couldn’t prevent the day’s unfortunate trend and they too lost 29-7, with Daniel Swift scoring a good try, which was converted by Patrick Hare. But the Ducks saved the day when also taking on Belvedere’s U13 E’s. In a game of four quarters, where Belvo fielded two teams, SCC won handsomely scoring a plethora of tries in the process. The game ended 40-8 with two tries from Jurre Khumalo, Jack Hayes, Tom Larke and Denis Cully. Henry Johnson added three conversions and Cully adding another two.
The Ducks and Leps combined (The Lucks) on Monday last as we welcomed a touring side from Taverham Hall School, Norwich. It was a cracking game and St. Columba’s scored four great tries through Jack Hayes, Ollie Townsend, Julio Perez and Tom Larke, all converted by Henry Johnson, but eventually lost on a scoreline of 42-28 to the visitors.
Then on Wednesday last our Senior Development side travelled to Kings Hospital to take on their Transition Year team. Sadly it was another loss of St. Columba’s, in a difficult week over for all our sides, with KH winning 31-14. St. Columba’s tries came through Henry Carroll and Callum Pery Knox Gore with Callum’s boot adding another 4 points.
So, as we head into our half term break for a well earned rest we can reflect on a busy fixture period for all sides. Despite the recent losses all teams have shown great promise and can be encouraged going into the business end of the season, particularly with cup campaigns around the corner.
Many thanks for the coaches, teachers and referees for all their work on the pitch so far this term.
