Rugby Union

Touchdown, 09:45, 4 hours to kill and a whole airport to explore. The group once again converged at the same spot as on the way out, full circle. Mr Grisewood parted for the last time with the boy’s money and away they went to wile away the day before the final short flight home. On arrival at Norwich Airport I said my goodbyes with a tinge of sadness, over the last couple of weeks I have got to know all the players and teachers well. As this was the last tour for some of the boys and indeed their last act as school boys the chances of us meeting again are slim. It has been a privilege spending time with Norwich’s 1st XV and I wish every member of the squad success in the future.

The whole team have been a credit to their school, their parents and their country whilst on tour in South Africa.

Breakfast was at 08:00 with check out at 10:00 leaving time for one more tour meeting to discuss the day ahead. Monday in winter proved a difficult challenge to find some way of entertaining the boys in a manner fit to end a fantastic tour. Once again Norwich’s local man on the ground came up tromps and after a leisurely wander down Long Street we headed off to Tokai Forest for a highly charged afternoon paintballing. Forwards against backs teacher against teacher was the order of the day. Once the Marshals had given everybody a team talk and laid out the rules the games began.

The backs game plan of speed over brawn wasn’t going to plan with first games ending up 2-1 and it didn’t get any better from there. As each game passed the wiry warriers came back to the safe zone ever more battered with bullet marks in the most uncomfortable of places. As the games drew to a close it was obvious that the backs just didn’t have the might of the forwards and the day ended 3-2, forwards win.

After the games had finished the group transferred to the world’s largest shopping centre giving everybody the chance to buy gifts for loved ones back home. Later in the evening saw our legend of a driver, Deon, fulfil his final duty of the tour, getting us to the airport on time. On arrival Sam Hopper presented Deon with a tour brochure and a tour shirt by way of thanking him for all his efforts over the last couple of weeks. It’s true to say that a coach driver can make or break a tour and Deon certainly contributed to Norwich’s tour of South Africa. Once into the airport everybody settled down and relaxed in readiness for their long flight to Amsterdam. It was evident by the fact that everybody was soon sleeping that it had been a very exhausting couple of weeks.

The day started early with most but not all making it down for breakfast but following a late night and an 08:00 departure it was easy to see why. The journey started very quietly with almost all the group sleeping for the first half. At the mid point we made a welcome pit stop giving everybody the chance to stretch their legs and get something to eat. The final leg seemed to pass very quickly and we were back at the Ritz Hotel early afternoon. Once checked back in the whole group wandered down to the African market for some souvenir shopping. Tonight was the group’s final night and a group dinner was enjoyed at the Waterfront. Presentations were made by both teachers and students with everybody involved in the tour getting a big pat on the back for a job well done. The rest of the evening was relatively quiet with younger boys heading off to bed early leaving the older boys one last night to paint the town red.

Breakfast 07:30-08:30 final team meeting 09:00-10:00, first on the agenda was the signing of a Norwich Tour shirt which was presented to Mr & Mrs Eaglesham later in the day for all their support in the run up to the tour. Later a light training session was held at the local school to ready the team for their final game on tour.

All the boys were again immaculately presented as they disembarked from the coach but were stopped in their tracks and did a double take at the sight that greeted them. Norwich were aware that today’s fixture was being played after a local derby but what no one realised that a local derby in this neck of the woods means all age groups, TV coverage, Radio coverage, loud music, food vending stands and most intimidating of all thousands of local fans all cheering their respective teams. When Norwich took to the field the whole audience became one loud partisan group cheering the local team. The music seemed to get louder just before kick off as if to unnerve the touring team, no such luck I’m afraid. Norwich started with passion, commitment and menace, George just couldn’t hold them in any area of the field and were soon three down thanks to another pin point kick from Trigs. The rest of the first half saw powerful scrummaging leading to some fantastic forward back link play which resulted in a great try and conversion. At half time next years 1st XV were replaced with by their departing seniors who took to the field for their last time in a Norwich Shirt. It was a proud moment for the teachers who have devoted time and effort turning boys into men and a poignant moment for the boys themselves and one which they would never forget; losing was not on the agenda. Right from the whistle Norwich piled on the pressure and the points after which George started to capitulate. The partisan crowd did their best to raise the home team but all the cheering in the world wasn’t going to unnerve or stop a rampant team thirsty for glory and win in their final game. When the final whistle blew the score was a resounding 36-0, job well and truly done, England 3 South Africa 1.

The after match hospitality was provided at the local school with the boys enjoying their first real Braai of the tour. Presentations were made followed by a very touching speech by Mr Grisewood thanking all the boys for their commitment and discipline during the tour and for the support the seniors have shown during their time at Norwich. The journey back to Wilderness was again a noisy one with songs and cheering aplenty. Once everybody had changed ,the whole party headed into George and a night of competitive pool before retuning to Cape the following morning.

Match Report by Mr Grisewood

We trained at George High and there was a lot to do as the starting line up was made up of only those in the U5 and L6 with David Treglown being given the honour of captaining the team for its final run out.

Match 4 V George High Select XV

We were fortunate to take part in the 60th Annniversary celebrations of George High School and there was a big crowd and a fantastic atmosphere at the ground. The game began well with us on the attack from the start and the pressure soon told with the opposition giving Trigs an easy penalty, 3-0.The forwards were working hard to create quick second phase ball and it was from such a ball that Tom Lake burst through their midfield defence scoring under the posts, 10-0. That was how the score stayed until half-time despite continuous attacking.

We began the second hald=f with our U6 on the field and the extra experience soon began to tell as we threatened their line almost immediately.It was Ed Crew that scored the first try out wide on the right after a well timed pass from Trigs, 15-0. Next Jacob Bolton scored with some very direct running from the 22 fattenening their backs along the way, 22-0! A move straight off the training field cut their midfield defence open, split 15, with Crewy running a perfect line and showing great strength and skill to offload to the ever present Charlie Steward to score 29-0.

The final try came as a result of some great opportunism by Nicky Ferns who moved into scrum half and sensed a gap behind he breakdown and ran in unopposed from the 22, 34-0. The final act of the game was for our talisman, Charlie 'The Boff' Williams, to convert , unfortunately he kicks like a forward and the score remained 34-0.

So that concuded the playing side of the tour and there were some emotional scenes as some of th eboys realised that they had played their last game for school. Spirits were high as we went to George High for some food and the presentations. Graham and Linda Eaglesham accepted a signed tour shirt on behalf of our main sponsor, Bennett's Retail Ltd. Matthew Casson and Daniel Lambie each received a school tie in appreciation for all trhey have done for the tour party.

Ironman

Pat Graf Grote

Player of the Day

David Treglown

In the evening we headed back to George for a relaxing evening of fun and merriment!