Scots College – Learning. For Life.

In an end of holidays ‘friendly’ fixture against Newlands, Scots College put on a solid display in miserable conditions to run out victors 18 – 0. Taking the opportunity to ‘have a look’ at several U15 players for the 2011 season and to give them a little experience at playing a higher level, we were very pleased with their efforts. The team now enters the business end of the season where competition for starting places and the ‘Quad Squad’ heats up. By our reckoning there are 26 players in real contention for 22 places. This would be the first time in 4 years that we have been in this position, but is a reflection of where rugby at Scots is at. With a trip to Chile/Argentina in 2011 on offer, positions will be a real contest; therefore players will need to commit to getting themselves into good physical shape.

The 1st XV have 3 Saturday matches left and will have 3 Saturdays free before we head to quad, a six week window for players to do ‘extras’ and to work on their core positional skills outside of team training time. It is envisaged the quad squad will be named 2 weeks prior to the tournament (29th August – 1st September)

The game against Newlands was played in 3 x 25min thirds. This gave us the opportunity to run on 31 players who all acquitted themselves well. In particular Chris Rintoul, TJ Va’a, Jordan-Glen Bradbrook, Henry Merritt, Jayron Hwang, Mario Cooper and Tom Kidman from the U15’s. Speaking to them after the game, they really enjoyed the experience and they look forward to taking the experience back to their team next Saturday against Tawa. The one thing the 1st XV prides itself on is there is no rank or prejudice and the weeks training and the game was a perfect example of this, with everyone working hard and enjoying each other’s company. This was reflected in the character shown, particularly in defence.

A Graeme Peter converted try in the 1st period of play took Scots to a 7 – 0 lead at the break. The second period was scoreless and with the top XV running on in the third period, there was a definite lift in the pace and physicality and tries were scored by Hamish Vance and Captain Hunter Prescott.

During the last week of the holidays, 7 Scots players competed at Williment Week. This is an intensive week of training and playing for Wellingtons top U16 players, from which the U16A and Development teams are selected to compete in the Hurricanes Regional tournament.. These players were; Patrick Gluck, Jackson Garden-Bachop, James Kora, Liam Privett, Jordan-Glen Bradbrook, TJ Va’a and Eli Vole. Their contribution to the game was noticeable, all displaying a ‘presence’ within the team and on the field. Hunter Prescott, Cade Umaga and James Tyler get their opportunity to push for representative selection in a Wellington U18 trial during the week. It is great to see Scots College have 10 players trialing for representative selection over the season and we wish them all the best.