Rugby Season Review 2025/26 As the autumn term draws to a close, we celebrate another spirited and memorable rugby season across the U12, U13, U14, U15, U16 and 1st XV squads. The players have shown resilience, passion, impressive skill development, and a clear commitment to representing the school with pride.
U12 Rugby – Building Foundations and Confidence For our newest cohort, the focus this season has been on developing core skills, understanding the values of the game, and—most importantly—establishing a strong sense of belonging within the School community. The U12s have embraced their first year of School rugby with energy and enthusiasm. Training sessions have centred around ball-handling, tackling technique, spatial awareness, and teamwork, ensuring pupils build confidence in a supportive environment. More importantly, the squad has begun to shape an identity rooted in friendship, respect, and enjoyment of the sport. The boys have shown huge progress each week, and their passion for learning and improving bodes extremely well for the years ahead. This season has laid the foundations not only for future performance but for a lifelong connection to school rugby.
U13 Rugby – Development, Growth and Team Identity The U13s have continued their development journey with an emphasis on strengthening both rugby ability and team culture. As the second year in the programme, this season has been about refining basic skills, increasing game understanding, and learning how to play together with purpose and cohesion. Coaches have worked closely with the squad to encourage leadership, communication, and accountability on and off the field. The players have responded with maturity, improving week by week while developing genuine pride in representing the School. Above all, the U13s have shown that rugby is not just about results, but about belonging: supporting one another, celebrating shared successes, and growing as teammates and individuals.
U14 Rugby – A Season of Progress and Character The U14s faced an incredibly competitive fixture list this year, finishing with 11 games played, 3 wins, 1 draw, and 7 losses, scoring 237 points across the season. Despite tough early results against Maidstone GS, Sevenoaks and Skinners’ in the County Cup, the team rallied brilliantly with a thrilling 31–26 win away at Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys and a high-scoring 38–38 draw with Westcliff High School for Boys. A strong home win against Gravesham Barbarians (26–15) and an exceptional 71–12 victory over Brentwood showcased their rapidly developing attacking play. With notable individual improvements, growing cohesion, and a determined spirit, the squad will take plenty of learning into next year’s campaign.
U15 Rugby – Outstanding Performances and Knockout Success The U15s enjoyed a superb season, finishing with an impressive 11 wins from 14 matches, scoring 454 points and demonstrating consistency and ambition throughout. Strong victories against Duke of York’s RMS (47–17), Sevenoaks (38– 10), and Simon Langton (43–12) set the tone for their campaign. They progressed confidently in both the National Bowl and County Cup, securing wins over Oakwood Park, Maidstone GS (28–22), St Olave’s (45–0), and Duke of York’s (27–17). Though the team fell short in a tight Kent Cup Semi-Final vs Tonbridge (14–27) and a narrow loss at Chis & Sid (19–24), they finished on a high with a 24–14 win against Langley Park and a hard-earned 22–15 National Bowl Round 3 victory over Skinners’ and progress to the Regional Bowl final in the New Year. A committed, talented squad with real potential moving forward, who will be a group of player to watch out for over the next few years.
U16 Rugby – Dominant, Disciplined and Impressive The U16s delivered one of the strongest performances of any squad this year, finishing with 6 wins from 7 matches, scoring 234 points and conceding only 41. Outstanding defensive displays and clinical attacking rugby saw commanding wins over Duke of York’s (37–0), Maidstone GS (52–0), and Sevenoaks (57–7). In the National Cup, they pushed through the opening rounds with determination, beating Dartford GS (17–10) and Hayes School (28–7).A single, narrow defeat came in Round 3 of the National Cup against The Judd School (12–17), but the squad should take immense pride in a season defined by discipline, teamwork and maturity on the field. As the first season of keeping a U16 group together, they have shown real commitment to each other and the programme. As the move into the senior set up, there skills will be tested but the foundations that they have laid this year will see them through to becoming a strong core group within the Senior Rugby programme.
1st XV – A Season of High Ambition and National Bowl Success The 1st XV enjoyed an exciting and challenging season, balancing Daily Mail Trophy fixtures with a strong National Bowl run. With 10 wins from 15 matches and 361 points scored, the squad demonstrated quality, resilience, and a clear upward trajectory. Early highlights included a tight win over Duke of York’s (19–15), dominant Daily Mail Trophy victories against Maidstone GS (24–0), Hayes School (17–12), and Sevenoaks (36–14), and a convincing National Bowl Round 2 win over St Olave’s (58–12). Progress through the National Bowl continued with victories over Graveney (21–0), TWGSB (24–0), and Pangbourne College (30–19) to reach the National Bowl Semi-Final, where they will face Clayesmore School. While there were setbacks—including a competitive Mizen Cup loss to Dartford GS and strong opposition from Eltham College and Langley Park—the squad showed remarkable determination and depth throughout the term. With the Semi-Final ahead and a chance to reach the final for the first time in the School’s history on the horizon, the 1st XV will continue to training and play going into the New Year. Their success on the pitch and conduct off continues to inspire younger age groups and represent the school with pride.