Sports Update: Spring 2017 Week Seven
Another busy sporting week at St Edward’s concluded, having covered six sports, by land and water, against multiple opponents. The week concluded with a 7s rugby tournament for the 1st VII at Windsor Rugby Club on Sunday, with the weather – this time hail storms – making for some challenging playing conditions, just as it did last week. The team had a fantastic run, producing some of their best performances in recent times, narrowly losing out in the final to RGS High Wycombe, 12-10, having triumphed over The Oratory, St Benedict’s, Ealing, and Bedford College along the way. Cameron King (Lower Sixth) was Teddies’ player of the tournament, whist Archie Nicholson (Fifth Form), making his debut in senior rugby got off to an excellent start. Very well done to all involved.
Perhaps the 7s squad drew their inspiration for their impressive run from the visit of England’s Senior Men’s squad, who were training at the School for three days this week. On a mid-tournament mini training camp, England Head Coach Eddie Jones brought the team to Oxford, training on Upper 1 and making use of St Edward’s excellent facilities. You can read more about their visit here.
The Harriers cross country team have had some excellent results recently. The senior girls’ team winning the Marlborough College event, with stand out performances from Georgina Robson (Lower Sixth), Lacinia and Cerelia Caesar (Lower Sixth), and Georgia Heath (Lower Sixth). At the same event the senior boys’ team came third, beating runners from Harrow, Kingswood, Clifton, Eton, and Marlborough. The boys also had an impressive result at the Radley Relays event, coming fourth in a strong field of 21 teams. The English Schools cross country will be taking place on Saturday 18th March in Norwich, and three St Edward’s pupils selected to represent Oxfordshire, with three more also in the reserves. Congratulations to Alfie Armitage-Hookes (Lower Sixth), Jeevan Grewal (Upper Sixth), Georgina Robson (Lower Sixth), Finlay Nicholson (Lower Sixth), Jack Verschoyle (Lower Sixth), and Georgia Heath (Lower Sixth).
The Boat Club had a successful week, with the several crews taking to the water for the Reading University Head and the Shell girls’ competing in their first ever event against Hinksey Sculling School. The 1st VIII had a great result, coming second in the IM3 Eights against a range of senior and university crews. There were also good results for the J16 and J15 VIIIs, and the Shell girls’ crew acquitted themselves admirably in their series against far more experienced crews from Hinksey Sculling School, just losing out three wins to two, along with three dead heats.
The netball courts saw a great win for the 1st VII against Bradfield College, with the 2nd VII and U16As also victorious. A triangular tournament on Saturday with Stowe and Dean Close, saw victories in their respective tiers for the 2nd VII, 3rd VII, 4th VII and U16As, whilst the 1st VII came very close too, just missing out to take second place.
The Hockey club took on Bloxham on Saturday, with the 1st XI gaining a strong win and a draw for the 2nd XI that could easily have gone our way with a little more luck on some missed chances. There was also a notable win for the U15Cs by a sizable 3 goal margin, and a clean sheet to boot. The Football club were also in action at the weekend with their matches against Shiplake College, with many spirited and tireless performances on show.