Spalding Grammar School’s under-12 rugby team got off to a emphatic start with a convincing 53-0 win at Oundle.
Despite just four training sessions with teacher Dave Endersbee and the coaching team of parent David Simpson and three older SGS students, the boys looked like a cohesive unit from the outset.
They went ahead just a few minutes in when some excellent rucking in the Oundle 22 saw the ball retained and then quickly switch through the backs for debutant winger Ben Baker to touch down.
A bombardment of SGS attacks followed, with the team showing their ability to play the game in patient phases – and they scored from most of their breaks to take the score to 34-0 at half time.
The second half saw a number of changes in positions for SGS, thus showing their adaptability.
Although the play was a little more disjointed, the spirit and effort remained to take the score to a dominant 53-0 before the final whistle.
Some seven of the 20-strong squad were playing their first ever game of rugby.
One of them, James Clark, said: “For our first game we were brilliant.
“The lads communicated really well and everything we did in training went to plan – from scrums and rucks to break and passing.
“All the boys played well, especially captain and man-of-the-match Harry Holmes, who led by example.
“The only thing I think we can improve on is making sure we get forwards to the break down quicker.
“Overall, it was a solid performance.”
Try scorers: Ben Baker (2), Josh Baker (2), Angus Bell (2), Louis Pepe, James Clark and Sam Chew.
Conversions: Fabian Simpson (4).
