Whole School Rugby Round-Up

Prep School

What a whirlwind term of rugby (quite literally) it has been, with close to 200 fixtures played across the Prep School.

Late in the first half of term, the weather threatened to get the better of us, but, fortunately, it turned, and there were fixtures aplenty throughout the term. That was, of course, until storm Darragh prematurely ended the season. 

The season included an array of fixtures, triangulars, quadrangulars and mini festivals. Whatever the format, they all provided an excellent opportunity for boys to enjoy competitive matches, have a meaningful experience and develop their game. Every boy enjoyed the chance to step up to represent the school. 

While the U11s had a fantastic run of positive results and close games, the standout year group this year was the U10s.  They were simply superb at A and B level.  Their record of zero losses this season is no mean feat–they were unstoppable.  One spectator even described them as playing like a pack of wolves, with wave upon wave of unified and unrelenting attack coupled with defending their line with a collective ferocity.  They were simply a joy to watch.

Here are a few further memorable moments from the action-packed 2024 season:

1. The U13As turning over Warwick in a closely fought contest away from home.
2. The U11Bs standout performance by far was against Dragon School where both teams played some excellent rugby. However, it was Bedford’s ability to move the ball effectively across the pitch which gave them the edge and the win.
3. The U13Cs have had a few tough fixtures against Warwick over the years, with a fair number of defeats. So, it was a pleasant change in this year’s away fixture, having to reduce the number of players on the pitch to make it a more even contest and keep the deficit under 50 points.
4. The U10D coming from 5-8 down to beat Dragon 10-8
5. U11Ds brilliant match vs St Faith’s. There was an exciting end to a game, which included a goal-line dropout! The game finished as a draw, which was a fair reflection of the effort and skill on show from both teams.

Well done to all the boys and their coaches, and thank you to their most loyal supporters: their families.

Upper School

The rugby season at Bedford School started with a roar, launching into action with a block fixture against Oundle on the very first Saturday of term. The teams quickly found their rhythm and, before long, every boy in the Rugby Club had proudly represented the school in a match. With a variety of adapted rules in play, the games were as competitive as they were fun. Sometimes, our B, C, and D teams even faced off against higher-level opponents to keep things interesting – a true testament to the depth and strength of our Rugby Club.

Standout Teams and Players
The 2nd and 3rd XVs have been absolute stars this season. They have dazzled us with their expansive, fast-paced game, making every match a thrill to watch. Our wingers have been on fire, regularly scoring more than a try per game and even bagging hat-tricks on occasion. Their skill and game sense in moving the ball and stretching the opposition’s defence have been nothing short of impressive.
The U14C team also had a fantastic run, losing only one match all season, even when playing against higher-level teams. Mr Hoggett could not be prouder of the boys’ effort and positivity in every training session and game. This spirit of commitment and desire to improve has been evident across the entire Rugby Club, making for a wonderfully cohesive atmosphere on the school fields every Saturday afternoon. The U14As are still in the National Cup, with a real shot at reaching the final stages next term.

Memorable Moments
The U15A team had an excellent season, narrowly missing out on victory against Wellington College in the Langley Festival final. They also turned around a 40-point loss from last year to beat a strong Radley team away from home. The U15Bs faced tough competition, often playing against A teams from other schools, but they put in stellar performances, running their opponents close. The U15Cs showed incredible resilience, especially in their comeback against Oundle, where they overturned a 29-0 halftime deficit to win 31-29 with a last-minute conversion by Will Chadwick – talk about a nail-biter!
The U16As had a balanced season but ended on a high note with a brilliant performance against Haileybury. The U16Bs enjoyed an incredibly successful season, winning all but two of their fixtures, with a highlight being their narrow two-point victory over Eton College.

First XV Highlights
The 1st XV had a rollercoaster season in terms of results, struggling to find form away from home early on. However, they can be proud of their 100% home win record. Their standout performance was against Stamford, where they turned the tables on a previous 40-point loss to secure a win. From the first whistle, they played with pace and precision, exploiting every opportunity with ruthless efficiency. Their defensive effort was nothing short of heroic, repeatedly turning over the ball and repelling Stamford’s strong runners.

Honours Caps were awarded to: Oscar Barker, Rupert Cracknell, Zak DeGale, William Gallagher, Max Innes, Arthur Proctor and Fergus Tongue.
Major Colours were awarded to: Alfie Allen, Jerome Birch, Ryan Borman, Justin Fasanya, Owain Harries, Ben Mclurg, Oliver Simmonds and Alfie Gittins.