Similarly to Term 1, this term has been one of many ups and downs for both senior squads.
The 1st team returned after the half term break to St Olave’s, where previously in the year we had triumphed in the National Bowl first round. Once again, we left victorious, securing a convincing 24-5 win. We then faced a strong Wallington County Grammar side for the first time since 2016, a hard fought game resulted in a narrow defeat by 1 point with the ref deeming a last play penalty drifting agonisingly wide of the post. From here we pushed onto the biggest game of the year by far, the regional bowl final against Hayes at home. Going into the game, we aimed to put right the Jimmy Mizen cup final defeat at the end of last year by winning the game, and progressing onto the last 8. However, in another closely fought game with shots flying in all over the pitch we came up just short once again losing to a try in the closing stages of the game causing heartbreak for not only the players but also the strong GGS contingent on the sideline. This defeat did not dull the spirits of the team for long with our focus quickly shifting onto the coming Saturday and the upcoming opponent Brentwood of which the school had been yet to defeat. The persistent rain all week had turned the pitch into a soup resulting in a physical clash of which the GGS boys dominated all day resulting in a first victory over Brentwood showing the continual progress the rugby programme has made post-Covid. Despite this historic victory there was no time to rest with another tough opponent looming in the form of Chislehurst and Sidcup, in another feisty encounter between the sides we faced defeat against a very strong opposition yet at times played the better rugby giving us a crucial spark for the long awaited derby against a Dartford side we knew were ready for the taking.
Any GGS student should know the meaning of ‘Dartford week’ but none more so than those in the Rugby programme. Having put Dartford to the sword last season, winning 21-0 away from home for the first time in recent history, the boys were hungry for another win at home making it back to back against our local rivals. Once again, the rain poured all week; however, this did not dampen the spirits of the GGS faithful. With the win in similar conditions being secured last year, we were determined to once again win in conditions that favoured the one up style of rugby played by Dartford relying on their physicality rather than technical ability. The morning of the game had finally arrived and the team assembled on the pitch preparing for the biggest School ‘Celah’ of the season. However, this was interrupted by the ref’s whistle and the game kicking off; while we were disorganised, allowing for Dartford to regather the ball and begin hurtling to the try line until Matthew Bailey 12MXP, as he has done many times this year, tracked across the pitch and put in a monstrous tackle setting the tone for the game. Dartford used this early advantage to besiege our line for much of the first half as we struggled to clear the ball and get to grips with the conditions resulting in GGS trailing by 10 points to nil at half time. The first half dominance from Dartford did not continue into the second half as GGS began to gain a foothold in the game seeing continual dominant carries and flashy backs moves which many would call ‘favella rugby’ allowing Ben Clack 12BXO to crash over from 3 metres out. This try was converted, reducing the deficit to just 3 points with 20 minutes still to play heaping the pressure onto a tiring Dartford team to hold onto a slim lead away from home. Continual GGS dominance playing the majority of the 2nd half around Dartford’s 22 caused them to give away a spree of penalties handing GGS the ball 5 metres out from the tryline setting up for a tap and go to launch the backs off of and over the try line. The ball was tapped and passed onto Logan Sims 12MXP who decided that the backs were not needed and crashed over the try line through the heart of Dartford’s defence putting GGS into the lead causing an almighty roar to go up from spectators and players alike. The conversion was successful and with two minutes left on the clock all we had to do was hold onto the lead. Dartford kicked off shallow wanting to contest for the ball but it was gathered by GGS and cleared leaving Dartford 40 metres out needing a try to win. A penalty was given away resulting in Dartford receiving the ball on the 5; however great defence turned the ball over but it was then thrown into touch resulting in another Dartford penalty which they kicked to the corner, giving them a lineout 5 metres from the tryline. The ball was thrown in by the Dartford hooker and their jumper rose to claim it and set up the driving maul only for Logan Sims to rise and pluck the ball out of the air winning it back for GGS who hurriedly dispatched it into touch winning the game. Once again supporters and players alike erupted in jubilation at the win but we still had some unfinished business……
........Joined by the 2nd team, as well as a number of last year's team who had returned to watch the momentous clash, School ‘Celah’ was - this time - completed uninterrupted and the celebrations continued. Not only the first team have had success, with the 2nd team securing wins against St Olave’s and Brentwood, along with many other closely fought games against teams made of largely older players, developing many future first team players and contributing to the culture of the squad.
Additionally, there has been success lower down the school with the U14s reaching the Kent Cup Final. These achievements were celebrated at the Lower School Rugby Dinner, where members of the Senior Squad served food to the junior players showing the unity and culture of the squad.
Logan Sims 12MXP