APS News 16

abingdon.org.uk/prep 15 Abingdon Prep Sport and News Y5 In early September, our U13As enjoyed an early season run out at the Dragon School Rugby Festival . This proved an excellent opportunity to experiment with the line-up and identify key areas to be worked on over the term. Playing against much larger schools, our boys acquitted themselves well and improved as the festival progressed. Later that month, the squad showed an improvement in their performance at the annual St Hugh’s U13A Super 12s Rugby Festival . Losses against Pinewood and a very good Cheltenham College Prep side contrasted with very determined performances resulting in victory against Wycliffe College and Winchester House. In November, sixteen Prep schools from Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Avon competed in the 37th annual Pinewood Sevens Festival in a waterfall format. Abingdon Prep School was in Group A along with Dean Close, The Downs (Wraxall), Barbarians, Beaudesert, Prior Park and Ashfold. The overall winners were The Downs (Wraxall) who beat The Downs (Malvern) in the final. The U13 A VII Squad, captained by Henry were a credit to themselves and our school, well done to all the boys who competed. Later in November, we hosted the 7th annual Abingdon Prep Under 13 Rugby Sevens Tournament . Several schools took part, including: Pitsford, Cothill House, Christ Church Cathedral School and Beachborough, as well as our own A and B VII. The festival was run in a round-robin format. Despite being beaten in all of their matches, the APS Bs grew in confidence and showed greater character as the competition progressed. The APS As won their first match convincingly against the APS Bs by 56 - 0 and went in to their next match with renewed confidence. However two narrow defeats followed against Pitsford and Beachborough. A narrow victory against Christ Church Cathedral School and a loss against Cothill, which could have gone either way, completed the competition. The APS A team’s handling was incredible all afternoon as they retained possession for long periods of time. They were the best team to watch! Both teams showed great character during the event. Our U11 teams had a mixed season, but our A-C teams all won as many, or more matches than they lost. The U11Ds pulled a victory out of the bag against MCS in their last match, as did the U11Cs against Cheltenham, to end the term on a high note. The U10A team took part in the the Magdalen College School Under 10 Rugby Festival . Abingdon Prep got stronger as the afternoon continued. After losing their first tie, they went on to win all three of their following matches. They all played with great heart and determination and as a team have a great deal of potential. A special thanks to all of the parents on the side-line for their support. The U10As had a good season, winning half of their ten fixtures, drawing two, and earning Roger the ‘Coach of the Term’ award! Our U9 teams enjoyed their first competitive ‘transitional contact’ match vs St Hugh’s in September. Despite losing the three matches, the fixture highlighted our boys’ ability to run and pass effectively. By late November, their tackling had improved and the Year 4s played a highly competitive afternoon of house matches with Phoenix triumphing to take the cup. The U8s had a very enjoyable and successful tag rugby season with the As unbeaten in their three matches. All Year 3s thoroughly enjoyed their first experience of competitive rugby. Rugby Review U10s at MCS Festival U10 team talk v Chandlings U9s House Rugby U13 v The Oratory Carpet Time with 3J Anti-Bullying Week 5L led an assembly (below), and many boys took part in workshop sessions. (left).