Year 10 Rugby – Essex Schools 7s

18 Mar Year 10 Rugby – Essex Schools 7s

Last week the Year 10 Rugby Squad took part in the prestigious Essex Schools 7s Competition at Campion School in Hornchurch. All the top rugby playing schools in the county took part. The Jo Richardson Community School were drawn in a group with Coopers, Baddow and Westcliff Grammar School.

In their first game the boys were absolutely superb and beat a strong Coopers Coborn team 19-0. It was said by many teachers attending to be the performance of the day by any school. The boys had to play immediately after and lost 7-17 to a Baddow team who eventually made it to the final. Again, the boys gave their all and the game was only decided in the last seconds.

This meant to qualify from the group, we had to beat Westcliff Grammar School who have been previous winners of the competition.

Despite this being their third game in relatively quick succession, the team dug deep and put in a flowing but fierce performance and won 17-7 with Westcliff’s only score coming in the final play. This meant we qualified for the Shield semi final and were up against another strong rugby school in Colchester. It was a game of contrasting halves. Colchester had the most possession in the first half and went over twice for a 10-0 half time lead. But our squad came back strongly, pulled the score back to 5-10 and then had a try somewhat harshly ruled out. The Jo Richardson boys pinned Colchester back but were unable to get over for another score and Colchester held out for a 10-5 win, and then went on to win the final.

For our squad to reach the semi-finals in their first Senior School tournament was a fantastic achievement and drew praise from the Essex County officials and many other Heads of Rugby from the attending schools.

The squad did themselves and JRCS proud.

Pictured on the front page are the squad all of whom contributed Jack (capt), Taylan, Bobby, Valentino, Charlie, Christian, Lewis, Elijah, Riley, Frankie, Reece, Mayowa

(pictured on the front page).

Mr Kersey

Pastoral Support Assistant