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1st XV rugby boys compete well in prestigious festival

The 1st XV played some excellent rugby in the prestigious St Joseph’s Festival on the first weekend of half term. This competition attracts 16 of the best schools in England and Wales and is always a fantastic learning experience. 

On the first day, Hurst were drawn in a group with Wellington College, Millfield School and Whitchurch High School, Cardiff. Having started excellently with a close 14-10 victory over Millfield (four of their alumni played at the rugby World Cup), the boys found it tough going against a physical and vocal Whitchurch High side, which eventually finished third overall, losing 31-5. Our team finished the day with a closely fought 22-14 loss against eventual champions, Wellington. It certainly was a tough group but the Hurst boys played some excellent rugby to finish third.

The following day our team was drawn with John Fisher School Croydon, QEGS Wakefield and RGS High Wycombe. The boys produced their best performance of the day to beat John Fisher 26-0 before edging a tight contest with QEGS Wakefield 12-10. Both of those gargantuan efforts left the squad somewhat depleted and low on energy, in what was effectively the semi-final, and they lost 26-0 to High Wycombe. “The 1st XV showed tremendous effort and resilience throughout the weekend as well some high-quality rugby. They were superb ambassadors for the school and are looking forward to 2020 already,” Jack Emmerson, Head of Rugby.