St Paul's Storm to Victory
Year 9 boys’ competed in a Mid Sussex Tri school Rugby tournament. This was contested
by the hosts Oathall, Downlands and St.Paul’s.
St. Paul’s won the first game against Oathall in what was what was predicted to
be a close opening match.
The visitors could not have asked for a better start - a try within the first 3
minutes. Greg Umeh using all of his strength and power to burst through a number
of strong tackles, and handing off a strong challenge from Oathall’s number 8 to
run clear under the posts. This try was followed up late in the half with a break-away
try close to the defensive try line, Matt Collier racing away on the wing side stepping
his way past half Oathall backs, and once he was over the half way line there was
no stopping him, and the half time whistle shortly followed.
With the game slowly fading out, and with Oathall giving up a little, St.Paul’s
added a further two tries through Callum Macaulay and Ben Haskell. Callum Macaulay
was in fine form with the boot throughout successfully converting all of his tries.
After playing Oathall, the confidence was very clearly high for all involved with
St.Paul’s, but playing Downlands was a different challenge. Lining up against players
who play week in week out for teams such as Haywards Heath, Hove and Brighton, could
have been the downfall for St.Paul’s with a very raw team only having 3 experienced
club rugby players.
The start was a difficult one for St.Paul’s.The experience was telling, St.Paul’s
giving away penalty after penalty, worryingly it only seemed as though one team
was going to score in this match.... Once again the defence held firm and hit after
hit after hit came and went. From the kick off Canice Gonzague gathered
the ball with fantastic composure and set off on his way back up the pitch. What
happened next was beyond everyone’s expectations. Canice danced around three players
out wide to the wing bursting through two tackles whilst managing to keep himself
just about in play to sprint free and under the posts for his first try for St.Paul’s.
Two fantastic tries from Ben Haskell copmpleted the victory playing brilliantly off the shoulder of Callum
Macaulay.
A great start to the tournament for St.Paul’s, and one that came as quite a surprise
to everyone.
Mr C. White (Cover Supervisor)