Impressive Halifax take the spoils in tri-college rugby
Halifax sent out an ominous warning ahead of the forthcoming college rugby ten’s tournament by seeing off opposition from Vanbrugh and a Goodricke/Langwith joint team in the latest tri-college competition on Saturday afternoon. In another entertaining series of matches which successfully widened the reach of this year’s college rugby revival, Halifax looked by far the strongest outfit and won both their fixtures, although they did benefit from importing influential players from elsewhere.
The opening game paired Halifax and Goodricke/Langwith, with a disappointingly low amount of cohesion shown by the amalgamated side in a 17-0 defeat. An early try from the multi-talented Hugh Pryce, University Boat Club President and a powerful rugby player, established the tone as the ball was manoeuvred neatly from right to left with precision, often co-ordinated by Paul Guest, the Alcuin Captain and tournament organiser, who was making a cameo appearance. Having obviously worked hard on the skills needed in the scrum, Halifax were able to dictate the direction of play for long periods, penning their opponents deep into their own 22. After missing a serviceable penalty, Guest converted the sustained pressure into points after more defensive hesitancy on the stroke of half-time.
A third try, midway through the second-half, secured the victory. Captain Simon Reed culminated a sweeping play from left flank to right and the subsequent conversion made the final margin seventeen points. Knowing they would have to turn around quickly for the day’s second fixture, Halifax wisely conserved energy and replaced their pivotal players, yet were still able to comfortably hold Goodricke/Langwith at arm’s length.
The inadequate five minute pause appeared to affect Halifax during the early stages of their second fixture, against a professional-looking and physically strong Vanbrugh side. Unsurprisingly perhaps, it was Vanbrugh who made all the early running, scoring through Jordan Abbott after a right-wing break. Sam Taylor kicked the extras and Halifax were under no illusions that they were in a game. However, drawing on reserves boosted by a strong collective mentality, Halifax had narrowed the gap by the interval, Guest barging through in the right corners after a scrappy passage of play.
In an evenly-matched second period, it appeared that Halifax, 7-5 behind, had squandered their chance when refusing a penalty ten minutes from time. However, after turning the screw effectively, they scored on the right flank to rescue the game, and seal overall victory.
The third match, featuring Vanbrugh and Goodricke/Langwith, was thus rendered irrelevant and the play reflected this lack of motivation. Indeed, Goodricke/Langwith was a loose term as they featured representatives from practically all the colleges in what appeared to be a show of universal contempt for Vanbrugh. This complete absence of unity showed through in a painful forty minutes of rugby, punctuated only by the short-range Vanbrugh try which settled it at the death. The ‘Barbarians’ side were left to rue two missed penalties in the second-half as they were consigned to the foot of the standings.
(Happy Birthday Aaron and thanks for the pictures)
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This scratch Halifax side showed great character in turning up without any training sessions and securing two great victories.
Although we must thank the few players from Alcuin and Derwent who boosted our squad size and pack.
This is the first outing for Halifax’s XVs side and shows once again Halifax’s sporting dominance.
I’ve got to give a special mention to our Sports Rep Freddie Cornes playing no.8 who stepped up and converted beautifully after our final try in the Vanbrugh game.
A great mornings rugby that I hope to see repeated in the Xs tournament!
I’m pretty sure Halifax fielded plenty of players from other colleges. I think Alcuin, James and Derwent will be the ones to watch out for with the letter being the only college who has not fielded players outside their own college.
Hugh ‘The Body’ Pryce is also a Halifax Seconds Footballer. He has bagged numerous goals, flousrishing under the leadership of the inspirational and handsome John Halstead.
Deary me, let’s not have another petty debate about college rugby – the competition that matters is in two weeks, then we can all see who the best prepared team is on the day. It was just a really successful day of rugby in my view, and it’s good to see college rugby taking another step in the right direction…
“let’s not have another petty debate about college rugby”
Hear hear…
At a time when there were only three colleges playing matches, a few players may have stepped up for other colleges originally, (namely James and Alcuin) making a relatively small contribution to the fixtures.
This simply allowed the above teams to field a strong enough team worthy of competition for the mighty Derwent 1st 15, surely all in the name of College Rugby!
I’d like to point out that the Joe Rankin above is not me. I’m sure the NOUSE moderator will be able to note the difference in ISP address between this post and the above.
I played in this tournament and I personally think it’s great that V, H and G/L have put together even 10 Rugby players – let alone the 20+ Vanbrugh had on the day!
The standard wasn’t amazing, but for sides with mixed ability and not much training time together, the tempo was high and the Rugby was actually quite good all considered.
The more sides we get playing the better College Rugby – and the one day tournament – will be. I’m looking forward to the 10’s now; played with many more actual Rugby players and perhaps technically, a better tournament.
With regard to the above poster, I think it’s pretty pathetic you have to use other people’s identities to make comments. Man up and have the balls to stand by your actions & comments.
Thought the banter on the touchline was worldclass! Rankin looked a natural on the wing and how Guesty even got out of bed that morning deserves nothing but the utmost praise