Day 13

Game Day

Every tour has one big day and every day so far has been leading up to this one. All coaches have been aware of it and in fact team selection was considered before that last game because of it. The boys knew they would be facing a very different challenge today and their apprehensive behaviour was evidence of how nervous they all were. Today’s game was against Westville Boys High School. The school has 1200 students and 25 rugby teams, 8 of which are senior teams and with 4 of those players playing in Craven Week this was going to be one very testing afternoon. All the games so far had served only as warm up matches for the test ahead.

After a relatively relaxing morning the teams boarded their coaches for the 45 minute journey to Westville Boys High School (WBHS). On arrival we were greeted by a beautiful walled ground that sunk away from the road and looked up to the school in the distance. The school's coaching staff were there to welcome us and show Bolton to their changing rooms. As the 2nd XV emerged changed and ready to go through their warm up routine some of the WBHS boys were practising their drop goal skills and were pinging them between the up-rights from the half way line.

Bolton School had learnt something from their previous games and duly formed tunnels and clapped and cheered each other onto the field of play and supported each other very vocally throughout each match.

The hospitality and indeed the presentations after the match were superb but this is now something we have come to expect in South Africa. Once the school plaques had been exchanged and ties and t shirts had been left for the home team the boys tucked into Lasagne and Salad before heading back to the hotel for a planned surprise.

The hotel manager Regan had gone to extreme lengths to show his appreciation of the Bolton School Boys and had put together a slide show, starting with the School Emblem and followed with pictures provided by us. Before starting the show Regan congratulated the boys on their impeccable behaviour. He even went as far as to say that the other hotel guests had voiced their delight at having the boys around, saying that they were charming, polite and full of fun and laughter, which speaks volumes for their teachers and the education they have received whilst at Bolton School.

After the slide show the teachers held the traditional Kangaroo Court but…as everybody knows “what goes on tour stays on tour”.



2nd XV Captains Report by Ed Grundy

This game had always been acknowledged as the toughest whilst we were in South Africa with strength in depth beyond our 50 players with 8 senior teams. The school grounds were imposing and as we walked into the sunken arena the true weight of the task ahead of us began to hit the players. Our pre match warm up left a lot to be desired and when we stepped out onto the pitch we may not have been ready for the challenge ahead quickly losing ground and an early try. The opposition gave what can only be described as a lesson in how to scrummage and how dangerous quick ball to backs can be, however the defence was stronger than the 3-33 half time score line indicated with the back line impressing, especially in the tackle area against admittedly superior opposition. Jack Roberts put over a relatively simple kick to get our first points on the board The half time team talk and some tactical substitutions by Mr Jackson led to a second half revival, replacing rightfully tired legs. The second half showed to the crowd, the teachers and the opposition how the second team can play rugby, with great defensive performances all throughout the team and a work rate that showed the pride of the players who were unwilling to be embarrassed on the pitch. The second half was only 0-5 overall showing the improvement, the performance overall was hugely creditable with many people acknowledging that the WBHS 2ndXV would give our first team a good game. Thanks go to Mr Jackson and all others involved with the second team throughout the tour to South Africa and the year as a whole.

Report by Peter Jackson

The final game, the final encounter of what has been an exceptional tour both on and off the field. Our opposition were the mighty Westville High School for Boys in Durban, one of the top Rugby schools in South Africa.

A full strength 2nd team took to the field only to be knocked back by an early try by Westville who were skilled and very tough competitors. However, Westville did not have it all their own way. Jack Bentham and Jordan Lambert providing a resilient defence in the back line. The Bolton School forwards played well in the loose picking and driving forward. Gaps in the Westville defence were few and far between but the forwards battled back with Grundy and Harrison making inroads. As the first half progressed it became apparent that it was going to be a long afternoon with Westville crossing the Bolton School line five times to leave the score at half-time 33-3. A lesson in Rugby.
Zolghadria, Holt and Cryer came on at half –time and Bolton School improved. The forwards made it difficult for Westville to get into a rhythm and some excellent rucking meant that Bolton School gained good territorial advantage. However, an awesome Westville defence kept their visitors feeling frustrated and were unable to cross the line to score a try. Westville won one more try to make the final score 38-3.

This had been a great experience for the Bolton School 2nd XV and hopefully one which they will learn and progress from as young rugby players. Before the match I asked for togetherness, commitment and 100% effort and that is exactly what I got from the whole squad. The fact was that Westville were an excellent side in the day but if the boys show this level of enterprise and effort in the future, rugby will be sure to prosper at Bolton School.
Finally, to those Y13s who are leaving us, I wish you success in your futures and as you have found in South Africa you will always find friends in Rugby.

Sam Hardy

Sam’s final comments before going to Harrow!

For the 1st team the fourth and final game of the tour against Westville High School was certainly the hardest. Reflecting this, the best team played; it included many players who were seasoned veterans, retiring at the end of the game but also three Y11 boys. It was played in wonderful weather, sunny but not too hot and watched by a large crowd. Westville, coached by ex-Springbok Tim Rees, played a style of rugby far more physical than the other teams encountered on tour (and much more like that encountered at home). |However, they lacked none of the back-line skills expected. Bolton defended ferociously in a tight physical contest where the front five were superb but a period of Westville yielded a try in the corner. Bolton responded with pressure of their own forcing Westville back. However, an unfortunate floated pass was intercepted and Westville scored under the posts, which was easily converted. Acv well won penalty though soon allowed Alex Reilly to put Bolton on the score board. Shortly before half-time James Radcliff was sent to the sin bin following an excellently worked move to give Westville another try.

A reinvigorated Bolton side came out for the 2nd half and immediately it looked as though Westville would crack. However, they were thwarted by the whistle (not always fairly blown)! Many times as they got within the Westville 22. The resultant penalties and unexpected introduction of the ELVs to the match (which Bolton were, of course, not familiar) allowed Westville to slip through and score again. After a prolonged Bolton attack a player from Westville was none too soon sent to the sin bin for repeated offences. Despite their best efforts Bolton could not force a way through a strong Westville defence. With the return of their player Westville found new strength and scored in the last minutes of the half.

The final score of 33-3 did not reflect the match. The 1st team all put in a huge performance, one which Tim Rees admitted had him worried. Special mention must be given to retiring Captain Chris Newman and No. 10 Will Bate, who will led the game well and controlled it decisively and respectfully.

It only remains to congratulate the 1st team on a successful tour and wish all Year 13s well with future rugby exploits.



1st XV Captain’s report by Chris Newman

For more than half of the 1st XV, the final match of the tour would also be their last appearance in school colours. It was with very mixed emotions therefore that we took the field against Westville H.S. By repute, we were also facing by some margin the
most challenging opponents we were to meet on tour. In the event, a score line of 33-3 showed the high quality of our opponents, but did not fairly reflect what was a hard fought and combative encounter, with a few lucky tries and breaks widening the gap between the two teams.

Westville, with 8 senior teams to their name, were in truth the favourites from the off. In the shadow of the beautiful school buildings the opening exchanges were edgy, nervous and adrenaline full, with an excellent start made by Bolton being negated by some highly physical play from Westville. It would be fair to say that our hosts were more used to the style of refereeing than we were, the emphasis throughout being upon quick release at the breakdown rather than the more technical style we are used to. James Radcliff in particular suffered being unlucky to be yellow carded. Nevertheless Bolton competed throughout, and was unfortunate to be 19-3 down at the break.

In the second period we began to exert some real pressure on the Westville line but sadly, it proved to be one of those matches where the final pass was never in the right place. The final score meant that the better team had won but in no way reflected the skill and commitment of the whole of the Bolton XV. Everyone emerged with credit, and had benefitted from the lessons they had learned from their hosts.

Given the warm reception we had received from everyone we had met in South Africa, it was no surprise that we met with generous hospitality from our hosts after the match, where we were able to pass on our thanks, together with the usual presents. It was the most memorable way of concluding our career as school rugby players that any of the year 13 boys could have imagined.


The Final Countdown

Over two weeks have gone by and it is difficult to remember all the marvellous sites and remarkable people we have seen and met.
Eight games of rugby have taken place; 4 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses. A fantastic set of results, much better that we could ever imagined? All fifty players have taken part, making selection a difficult but necessary task.
The Durban leg took us to a warmer climate, which began with two days on the Bayala Game Reserve and a trip down to the St Lucia Estuary. The “Big Five” were not quiet achieved but the list of species spotted was impressive with; Elephants, Giraffe, Rhinos, Hippos and Crocodiles were among our sightings.
Our final destination, Blue Martin Hotel at Scottsburgh was the perfect destination for our last days. We would like to thank Regan and all his staff and guests for making us so welcome. Our two drivers in Durban Kevin and Ashuk also deserve a mention for their superb driving a very busy schedule.
So with the tour court out of the way (what goes on tour stay on tour!) we set off for Johannesburg to return home.
A fitting ending – we stayed one more night! Perhaps a gifting way to allow us to enjoy each others company one last time!
Finally our last two thank yous; firstly to Daniel our local rep, who once again assured us our schedule was met and secondly Matthew Casson who accompanied us from S&C. Matthew is has been a great pleasure, you and you company have provided Bolton School Rugby with a truly memorable experience.

Thank you!

Where next?

Paul Fernside
Master of Rugby