Abingdonian 2017

15 www.abingdon.org.uk Summer Term Our U15 age group pushed on in a big way over the season. The season started well with good wins over Cokethorpe, but big improvements and great results against Eton, Radley, and Rugby were especially pleasing to see. The numbers playing were very healthy with a consistent D XV out each week. All four teams won more matches than they lost, scoring well over 800 points between them. They are a talented bunch of boys who really enjoy their rugby. At half-term the A XV ventured to Langley School National Festival to play schools from around the UK. Like the U14 tour this proved invaluable post half-term, bonding the team and allowing technical and tactical developments to be made with the squad. Our U16s had a season to remember. The B & C XVs were superb in terms of results, winning most of their matches, and showing depth in the age group as well as passion for rugby and their school. Highlights were wins over Radley and the B XV winning last minute against Rugby away. The A XV might not have have the results they would have wished for, but this was a major season for the boys. The positivity and teamwork from a strong pre-season clearly had a big impact, but most impressively they never stopped learning and improving. This would stand them in good stead for the Japan summer tour and then into sixth form the following year. Our Senior XVs had a cracking year. For the first time ever we were able to put out a 5th XV which shows the passion and love for rugby here at Abingdon. In terms of results in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th XV the results were pretty even in terms of wins and loses. However, against some of the schools such as Eton, Rugby and Radley there were strong wins in many of these sides. Boys were seriously committed and pushed the club forward again. Our 1st XV had a wonderful season winning eight and losing just three. There were major wins away to Eton and home to Warwick. It was such a great year for the boys who have moved the bar up again and left the jersey in a better place. The 1st team also competed in many sevens competitions in the Lent Term. They were runners up at the prestigious Colston’s Sevens, just missed out on the last 32 of the national sevens, and produced some scintillating rugby at the Sedbergh Super Tens, finishing their rugby strongly. Our Touchliners group as ever supported the boys both on and off the field with new training equipment for all our boys to access in the 2017 season. The club is in an exciting place. The seniors who come back from a rugby tour of Japan have much talent, depth and potential. There has also been considerable investment in the pitches and fitness suite that will strengthen the boys’ athletic development in the years to come. We look forward to 2017 with great anticipation. Matthew Gold Micha lmas Term