Victory at Wellington College crowns a memorable season
Information advertising the Prep Schools Rugby Tournament noted that ‘over 1,000 of England's most talented young rugby players will be battling for supremacy in a new knockout tournament’. The article stated that it was ‘the biggest 15-a-side schools fixture ever to be held in the United Kingdom’. The Oratory under 11s were therefore horrified to arrive late because of problems with the coach and traffic. They were forced to concede their opening match and very nearly did not make the second. Fortunately, the players were spotted dashing towards the field.
The opening match was won 21-0 against Highfield. Jacob Henderson, who moved to scrum-half for the tournament, scored twice in a fine performance. Marcus Kendall added a further try with Joe Williams kicking all three conversions.
The team’s second game was against neighbours, Moulsford. It was, as anticipated, a hard-fought fixture with the Oratory scoring two tries in a 14-0 win. Duncan Grant, who led the team from outside centre, crossed for one of the tries. Oliver Horridge added the other with the conversions slotted by Adam Spears.
Duncan and the hard-running wing, Marcus Kendall, had been ill in the days leading up to the tournament but returned to establish a formidable match-winning partnership. They both scored against Prior Park with the ever-present Jacob adding a third in a 21-7 win. Joe kicked the additional points.
Victory by 26 points to 7 followed against St John’s Northwood. Marcus Kendall’s powerful surges down the left wing were responsible for two of the tries. Jacob and Duncan also crossed the line with Adam kicking three conversions. Although playing in only four of the five matches, the unbeaten Oratory boys earned a place in the semi-finals by virtue of finishing the best of the second-placed teams in the three groups. The other three semi-finalists (Papplewick, Chesham and St John’s Beaumont) had headed their sections.
The semi-final was against St John’s Beaumont where a hard match was fought before the Oratory emerged on top 7-0. Jacob cut through the defence for one of his trademark jack-knifing tries (converted by Joe). The forwards were often outstanding in this match and certainly rose to the occasion against Papplewick in a great final.
Papplewick had accounted for Chesham in their semi-final but ran into a very determined Oratory combination. The opening try came quickly with an overlap created for Marcus who outpaced his opponents down the left touchline. Adam converted. Papplewick came back strongly and a lively, compelling contest developed in the Wellington mud. Hard tackling kept Papplewick at bay and a 7-0 victory was gained.
The Wellington College report stated that they ‘set up the event to be a climax to the season for the schools’. (Click here to read more) The Oratory boys could not have asked for a more wonderful conclusion to a memorable season.
