Norwich School 1st XV

Breakfast was early this morning with a full team meeting being held at 09:00 with video analysis of all the previous games and training sessions. Followed by a full and detailed discussion to run through all the days’ expectations both on and off the field. Again the team had a light training session to set themselves for the challenge that lay ahead. The departed slightly behind schedule but arrived in good time to prepare mentally and physically ready for kick off at 15:15. As Paarl took to the field there was great support for them from their fellow students who formed a long tunnel and cheered them onto the pitch. The game started at a very high tempo which initially caught Norwich off guard who infringed in their own 22 giving Paarl an early scoring opportunity which they duly took. Norwich then mounted their own offensive resulting in a penalty of their own. David Treglown put the ball between the posts to level the score. Norwich then held their own for much of the period but succumbed to an excellently worked try by the scrum half and wing following a maul in their own 22 followed by a penalty giving them a lead of 13 – 3. Norwich then started to make some head way with good possession of there own but Paarl’s defence held fast, not allowing possession to be turned into points. Just before half time Paarl again crossed Norwich’s line to make the score 18 – 3.

The second half was a different story with Norwich enjoying possession but not being able to register any points. Paarl seemed to be struggling with Norwich’s sheer power and started to suffer the consequences as the referee gave penalty after penalty. Norwich went for the corner every time but just couldn’t get over the line as Paarl’s defence wouldn’t crack. Eventually Norwich changed tactics and went for goal but it was just too late and the final score was 18 – 6 with Norwich clearly winning the second half.

The after match hospitality was the best so far seeing all the boys sit together and enjoy a good feed. The presentations were made with both coaches offering the other invitation to return. The boys departed having made new friends and winning the admiration of their fellow South African students for the manner in which they played rugby.


Match report by Ian Grisewood

Once again perfect playing conditions prevailed in the glorious surroundings at Paarl Boys High School. The warm-up had gone well but the late arrival of the referee delayed the kick off time by 15 minutes which obviously hampered our preparation. The opposition took the game to us from the first whistle and were soon 3 points up. Our reply was quick and David Treglown soon levelled the score at 3-3. We were then pulled from side to side and only excellent scrambling defence held them at bay, with Nick Jones to the fore in the centres. Nevertheless the pressure eventually told and they scored following an overlap on the left wing 10-3. They added a penalty, 13-3 but then it was our turn to exert some pressure coming close to scoring on a number of occassions, however the decisive play of the match came just before half-time. With a line-out on our 5m line our concentration lapsed and we were driven over the line taking them to three scores ahead 18-3. After some honest reflection at half-time the boys were a different team in the second half and really taking the game to the opposition. Pat Graf Grote, Charlie Williams & Tom Williams began to impose themselves making good yards with the ball in hand. Trigs and Tom Lake were trying everything to unlock their defence in the midfield. Unfortunately the crucial early score was not forthcoming; thanks in no small part to the South African mind set of 'thou shall not pass'. So all we had to show for our endeavours was a Treglown penalty goal, 18-6, despite having the bulk of possession. That was how things remained to the final whistle. So, there was some consolation in us winning the second half but it was tinged with disappointment as we realised we had missed an opportunity to beat a revered rugby playing school. The presentations were a friendly affair with both sets of boys getting along very well despite the language barriers. We extended a genuine invitation to Paarl to visit us on their next tour to the UK.

Ironman

Tom Lake


Player of the Day

Charlie Steward


The Captain’s View
Norwich School 1st XV rolled up to the Stade de Paarl to play their hardest game on tour. The atmosphere was simmering as the stadium that could hold thousands held only 50. The boys eyed up the opposition who were indeed giants of men and one of the best teams in South Africa. Kick – off approached and the stadium erupted with rapture for the home team, Norwich were unmoved & stood toe to toe with the giants like 300 Spartans had once done.

Paarl started the game strongly with 2 early tries and a penalty. We could only respond with 3 points from a penalty kicked as ever by the reliable Dave Treglown. The score at half-time was 18-3 to Paarl. However, rugby is certainly a game of two halves and we were the stronger team after the break. Paarl rarely reached our 22 as we peppered their try line with runner after runner. The score did not reflect the performance and courage of my team although the Paarl defence never floundered and kept strong throughout. The final whistle blew with the score at 18-6 to Paarl; the lads had experienced their first defeat in South Africa. Indeed Paarl had been the better team although with greater killer instinct to reach the try line we could have easily got back into the game. The lads shared a few beers in the local student pub. The night was entertaining with a few of the younger boys struggling to keep the pace but then that is the very essence of a rugby tour and their right of passage from junior to senior player. The night ended with the future head boy exclaiming that he was indeed the 'lady hunter'.