The Year 11 rugby team played host to Campion School in the County Cup on Wednesday 9th October. The team is a mix of experienced players and enthusiastic sportsmen, keen to learn and play the game.

The players demonstrated a fantastic attitude from the off, running hard at the opposition and recycling the ball well to get an early try on the scoreboard. The tackling was immense throughout the fixture and the kick-chase always meant CCS were able to clear their lines when under pressure and put the pressure straight onto their opponents. B. Graham organised the team well and threw in accurately to the lineout. A. Wilkinson performed superbly in every lineout despite it being his first experience of being lifted! The back row of C. O'Leary, R Jones and D Nmah carried and tackled hard throughout the game, forcing mistakes from the opposition. Thanks to L. Hillery, J Tadeera, T Chimuka and the other forwards, the scrum was dominant, forcing the referee to go to uncontested scrums as a result. this took away a powerful weapon for CCS, as Campion were now guaranteed ball from their own scrums. That said, CCS did not make many handling errors in the first half and scored several fantastic tries. A Woolnough and Z Canuti pulled the stings from scrum half and outside half and C Lodge (in unfamiliar backs territory), maintained the forward momentum when the ball did go wide. D. Reynolds needs a special mention for his effective play from the full back position, catching any high balls and counter attacking brilliantly. Centra and wingers I Bushqjokaj, J Michalunio and the speedster C Wade kept making dangerous runs when the ball did get wide. If the first half was flowing, the second half by contrast was more attritional. The aim was to not concede a try and the players achieved that target, particularly as they had little of the ball in the first 15 minutes of the second half. CCS finished the game as they started, with a flurry of tries and confidence sky high. Winning 48-0!

Player of the match: D Nmah

CCS now play Bishop Stopford (Kettering) in the next round of the County Cup. This is sure to be a tough contest.

Well done to all involved against Campion!