Page 99 - HMS 2020

A muddy start to the season at Haileybury.
Sport
Rugby > >
> England player Rachel Burford praised Thea for her brilliant attitude and work ethic on the pitch and told her to keep giving rugby her ‘best shot’.
Our rugby season started with the usual curtain-raiser of the Haileybury tournaments. Once again we showed at U10, U11 and U12 that we would be competitive in each game and a force to be reckoned with on the circuit. We once again made new ground
in being one of the first local Prep schools to have female representation within our teams. Thea W, Year 6, showed her skills throughout the season and was even greeted with a message of congratulations from Harlequins and England star Rachael Burford as the season came to a halt.
A select group of Year 5 boys were treated
to an informative and exciting skills day at
St Albans School. The boys conducted themselves superbly throughout the day and were deserved winners of the final tournament with Dylan I taking home a special prize.
As part of the experience, they received expert coaching from former rugby professional
Russell Earnshaw and World Cup winner Kyran Bracken. We were delighted to welcome Kyran back to the school post-Christmas
to referee our U13 side. Led by Henry B, the team faced tough challenges throughout the season and did their best to keep learning and developing – standing them in good stead for rugby seasons at their future schools.
Kyran Brachen MBE refereed an U13 match against Aldwickbury.
Once again, every pupil in Years 3-8 who elected to do so represented the school and it was clear to see the improvements that each and every one of them made. In Year 3, the boys worked hard to attempt a passing style of rugby and showed much promise – they can look forward
to playing in contact matches next season. The introduction to contact can be daunting for some, however, we were delighted with how quickly the Year 4 boys adjusted, performing superbly in what was a successful season all round. The end-of-half term House Matches were hugely competitive and highlighted how involved and integral each boy has been to the year groups as whole.
97
>
>