SPORTS NEWS

The 1st XV Rugby squad have made tremendous progress since starting in September. We were not expecting a long Daily Mail Cup run this season, but here we are at the end of January having won a very difficult 7th round game away at Bishops Wordsworth School Salisbury (who have been unbeaten) by 17 points to 11. That now puts us into the last 8 in England, with a home draw for the quarter final on February 9th (Wednesday) against either Old Swinford Hospital School Stourbridge or Warwick School (who have yet to play because of frozen pitches).

This really is a terrific achievement, and as I have written before, there are very few comprehensives in the country that can enjoy national standing at two main sports as we do at rugby union and tennis. It is a tremendous accolade to our students and to the commitment of our coaching staff in these sports. On top of this we also have a high and developing standard in county hockey and our football team, particularly year 8, have gone a long way in the national schools football competition.

Whilst writing about sport we need to congratulate one of the youngest members of our school, Charlie Chapman, who over the Christmas holiday won a very prestigious national tennis tournament at Bristol. Well done to Charlie and I am very much looking forward to seeing our U12 team in the national schools competition this year.