A RUGBY team is going from strength to strength with a string of successes inspired by the performance of the England team and the prospect of the World Cup.
Richmond School and Sixth Form College rugby sides have enjoyed a host of wins on the back of burgeoning team spirit, expert coaching and a major investment in new sporting facilities.
Recent matches saw them defeat Carlisle College 50-0 and Darlington College 30-0 as they progressed through the RFU Colleges Tens Tournament. A win over the combined Stockton and Middlesbrough College side saw them reach the final where they finished runners up to Stokesley School.
In the recent Area Sevens competition, at Wensleydale RUFC, Leyburn, Years 7, 8 and 10 teams won while Year 9 were runners up. The Year 7 team was coached by Chris Hossell, supported by student Matty Leaf. Steve Speakman coaches the Year 8 team, Jack Moore Year 9 and Year 10 Tristan Bainbridge.
Richmond 1st XV also took York independent school Queen Ethelburg’s second team to a 31-31 draw.
Senior side captain Dan Storr, of Marrick, who plays hooker, said: “We have some real talent and the team spirit is absolutely incredible which lifts us every single match.
“In the tens Matty Leaf scored the most amazing try I have ever seen at any level. The ball went loose around the scrum and Matty, who is scrum half, dived, followed this with a roll, got to his feet and ran half the length of the pitch to score.
“Year 11 farmer’s son Will Peacock, who is the spitting image of professional Peter Winterbottom, ploughs his own furrow, generally with his face, and spends his life at knee-level scurrying around to win the ball.”
He also had high praise for other Year 11 players, centre Jarred Pool and full back Tom Hall, while he described props Ross Sturdy and Tom Markham as amazing in the scrum.
Richmond School and Sixth Form College’s business manager Andrew Gardner, a National Division 1 and 2 North assistant referee, who has been on the England Panel for Officials for over 14 years, helps coach the players with Chris Brown.
He said: “The lads are an absolute pleasure to look after. They are desperate to get on the field and always finish a match wanting more. Their team spirit pervades the whole school and we have a lot of young talent coming through which is very exciting for the future of rugby at Richmond School and Sixth Form.”
Sporting facilities were transformed thanks to a £313,808 grant from the Football Foundation, The FA Facilities Fund and additional funding from the Ministry of Defence Community Covenant Fund.
The investment has provided a new two-storey state of the art sports pavilion compromising six changing rooms, three officials’ rooms, a medical room, multi-function room, a teaching and coaching room, kitchen, disabled facilities, plant storage and a large viewing gallery.
Players’ enthusiasm was boosted further after attending the recent England U20 v Scotland U20 and England v Scotland Women matches at Darlington Mowden Park.
