King’s on top down under
SCHOOLS SPORT SIMON CARTER
THE King’s School triumphed in the battle of the Ashes as they showed Australia some Maxonian might during their mini invasion of Australia.
In what was the King’s School’s biggest ever sports tour to its furthest destination, 56 players supervised by seven staff with scores of accompanying parents and siblings, enjoyed a fair dinkum three weeks recording a succession of wins from Singapore to Sydney.
The First XV were in devastating form and went all six games undefeated, amassing over 250 points and conceding just 7, producing some scintillating rugby.
New captain, Owen Jones at Number Eight was the player of the tour and his offload game was deadly alongside his ball carrying abilities. Second Row James Crummack was equally as damaging as he bulldozed his way through the most organised of defences. While in the back division, centre Gus Fiennes’ elusive running and Tom Blackwell’s sharp finishing were virtually unstoppable. Big wins came against Sydney Grammar School 58 – 0, Arndell 61 – 0, St. Augustines 27 – 0, Far North New South Wales 24 – 7, Downlands College 31 – 0 and Singapore RU 50 – 0.
It was an incredibly successful tour, winning 13 out of 17 matches with King’s fielding three teams; next year’s First and Second XV Development teams alongside a Leavers XV which consisted of the recently departed Year 13 students.
The Leavers XV produced some magnificent rugby and were perhaps the most tested ‘down under, with three of their results with less than a 2-point margin. They won four out of five and fit- tingly were victorious in a physical encounter in their last match together versus Sydney-based club; Eastern Suburbs RFC winning a nail-biter 13 – 12.
The future of King’s rugby is in good hands though; the 2nd XV won three out of six but saw the most progress over the three weeks, their final victories versus William Clarke College and Sydney GS showing the potential of player such as Captain Joe Moores, hooker Tomos Rands and winger Angus Homer who will all be pushing for first team berths in the the new season.
Away from the rugby field, the boys were fortunate to be able to visit the beautiful Sentosa Island in Singapore, learn to surf in Surfers Paradise, snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef and Jet Boat around Sydney harbour taking in the sights of the famous Opera House and Harbour Bridge.