Year 8 Rugby Stars

The Year 8s began their second season of rugby at GMS with more determination and vigour than ever seen before from a group. Knowing that the spot light was on them, after an undefeated Year 7 season, they began in a true winning style.

Their first fixture was in the County Cup against Chalfont. Without too much trouble, GMS progressed to the next round.

Between rounds four ‘friendlies’ were organised, to ensure maximum experience and time playing the game.

Aylesbury Grammar School was the next match to take place. A big, strong side that was well organised put GMS on the back foot as they struggled to turn them over at the ruck; it was a battle to make head way up a steep slope. Four tries down at half-time, the boys came back out fighting. An epic game of rugby ensued as the two teams fought hard for victory. Slowly but surely, GMS ebbed their way back into the game.

Fantastic morale and an awesome team effort saw GMS edge into the lead. AGS, however, had other plans as they also stepped up a gear. The final 3 minutes were a battle of fitness and nerve as it went to the wire with AGS ahead by 1 try. GMS, refusing to be defeated, turned them over in their 22, Kyran, the team captain, picked the ball up and ran the remaining length of the pitch to place the ball under the post. The scores were level, with a conversion to come. Freddie Lewis held his nerve, to slot a sweetly struck conversion through the posts.

Final score, AGS 35 GMS 37.

The next friendly fixture was against the favourite local rivals: Sir William Borlase Grammar.

Thirsty for another grammar school scalp, the GMS squad arrived at the ground and went straight into business mode. Borlase were worried after watching the warm up, and their worry continued when the ref’s whistle started the game. It was one way traffic from the beginning and it stayed the same throughout. In the interest of a more even fixture nearly all of the GMS players were substituted, but to no avail. GMS went to 12 players against their 15 … still no good! Borlase literally couldn’t get out of first gear against what is becoming known as the fearless squad of 23. Final score GMS 45 – Borlase 0.

GMS’s final friendly was the one that would measure the team’s progress over the last year. After having narrowly beaten Waddesdon last year, GMS returned to the north of the county for a second game. Both teams were eager to show their worth and improvement a year on. However, it soon became clear who had progressed the most. With Waddesdon failing to break the GMS defensive line, and GMS breaking theirs on most, if not every attack, GMS were on for another big win.

Final score: Waddesdon 0 – GMS  45.

The Year 8 team is not a big side, its strength is that they do everything as one unit of 15: they all share a phenomenally good attitude towards their rugby. The tries they score are a result of awesome support, great handling and a very good understanding of the game.

Thorpe House, a private school in Gerrards Cross, was the next school GMS faced on the fixture list.  GMS hadn’t played this team before and, to cut a long story short, they may not want to play GMS again.

Final score: GMS 50 – Thorpe House 0.

In the County Cup GMS faced John Hampden Grammar away. They have the potential to be a formidable team because they have twice as many boys to choose from for a squad than GMS. That said, the GMS Year 10 team had beaten them in a game played earlier in the term. A nervous start brought about some silly unforced errors that allowed JHGS to have more ball than they deserved. Thankfully, our immense defence allowed none of their advances to come to fruition.

Once settled, however, the GMS team began another huge slaying of another well-known local grammar school. JHGS were completely unprepared for the wave after wave of attack from GMS that demonstrated the skill, determination and outstanding team support that this group of boys has developed and refined over the past two years to make them a formidable force. As the Marlow team became more and more confident they showed why they have a growing reputation in the County and not just at emerging level, but against the top level school.

Final score GMS 48-JHGS-0.

As if the season could not get any better for the team, they have been given a bye into the semi-final, which will be played on return from their eagerly anticipated Cheltenham Tour.