The Chronicle

Grammar out to extend cup winning run

- Glen McCullough glenm@thechronic­le.com.au

RUGBY UNION: Toowoomba Grammar School has the recent score on the board but the title holders will be braced for a Downlands onslaught this afternoon when their cross-city rivals look to reclaim the O’Callaghan Cup.

Grammar today hosts a gala day of schoolboy rugby headed by the First XV clash where Downlands is looking to end the host’s three-year hold on the cup.

Leading Grammar’s cup defence this afternoon is halfback and captain Tom Dickenson who will experience his first O’Callaghan Cup as a player.

“It’s obviously very special,” Dickenson said.

“I know I can speak on behalf of the whole team when we say we’re very lucky to be a part of this

game.

“Especially as there’s so much tradition behind it.

“It’s an honour to be able to don the blue and gold jersey and play in a game of this magnitude.”

Dickenson said Grammar would field close to a full strength side at the end of a season of mixed results highlighte­d by wins over Brisbane State High School and Brisbane Grammar — a feat shared with Downlands.

“It’s been a very competitiv­e season and we’ve certainly stuck it to a lot of GPS sides,” Dickenson said.

“We didn’t get as many wins as we would have liked but we’ve certainly been competitiv­e.

“We got a good win against Brisbane State High School as we did against GPS.”

Dickensen expects camaraderi­e and mateship to play a large role today among his players, with many of them making their O’Callaghan Cup debuts.

“We’re a very tight-knit unit. I think that’s our strongest asset,” he said.

 ?? PHOTO: NEV MADSEN ?? HOLDING HISTORY: TGS First XV captain Tom Dickenson with the O’Callaghan Cup Grammar will defend today against Downlands College at Toowoomba Grammar School.
PHOTO: NEV MADSEN HOLDING HISTORY: TGS First XV captain Tom Dickenson with the O’Callaghan Cup Grammar will defend today against Downlands College at Toowoomba Grammar School.

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