Year 9 Rugby 7’s (20.2.2024)

The year 9 rugby team continued their supremacy over schools in the county, winning all their games convincingly in a very dishevelled tournament. Purbeck started slowly against All Saints, conceding the first try after a only a couple of minutes through some lacklustre tackling. After rallying the troops, the boys then got straight back on the front foot, with tries from Jack Bridstock crossing three times, TJ Shearer twice and Bertie Warren in the corner. Resultantly Purbeck won their first game 30-5. The second game though they would have to seriously get up for as St Peters had many club players and look well drilled. After a stern talking to about how to play 7’s and the importance of making tackle, the rocket really worked. Purbeck were hugely dominant throughout the game, which clearly shocked St Peters. Jack Bridstock continued his try scoring form, powering through 4 defenders in the corner to bundle over to open the scoring. From each kick off, Purbeck put so much pressure on the opposition that they kept being forced into mistakes and turnovers. With Will Wright directing the play, the ball was reversed to TJ Shearer who drew his man to put an ever-present Jack Lowry in the corner. Try number three came shortly after, after a sublime miss pass from Will Wright put Christian Keefer in with a walk over, before Jack Bridstock powered over for his 5^th of the afternoon. St Peters then had one free flowing attack, which was stopped just before the line by a last-ditch Jack Lowry tackle which 100% will result in a black eye tomorrow! There was still time for Christian to run in his second of the game and TJ Shearer to boom players out the way leaving them in his wake. A rather convincing 30-0 win allowing the boys to top the group.

This resulted in them having scored the most tries in the competition and pitched them in the final against Poole Grammar School who looked like a handy outfit. The game was taken directly to PGS by the Purbeck boys, with Ren Elliot putting in a smashing hit straight from the kick off setting the tone. The ball was finally worked to Lowry, who then opened the scoring in the corner. Cristian Keefer then went on one of his mazy runs to score, with PGS bring one back quickly. Then came the moment of the game. Will Wright who had been excellent all tournament passing from the base of the ruck, dummied and went straight through where the PGS ‘guard’ was meant to be, to then accelerate to score a well earned try. There was still time for TJ to do what he does best, before two disallowed tries for PGS, resulted in Purbeck winning 20-5. An unbelievable tournament from a lovely, talented bunch of young men. The future is bright for them.

Player of the Tournament: Jack Bridstock

Team: TJ Shearer, Will Wright, Ren Elliot, Jack Bridstock, Ollie Lawrence, Christian Keefer, Bertie Warren, Jack Lowry, Tom White.

Year 8 Rugby 7’s (5.2.2024)

The year 8 rugby team travelled the short distance ‘literally down the road’ to Swanage & Wareham RFC to compete in the Dorset Schools 7’s. After being drawn in a tough group, the boys finished third and then progressed from strength to strength in the knock out stages, eventually winning the equivalent of the Bowl competition.

Purbeck started the competition against a very strong Bournemouth School side, with multiple club players in their ranks. Despite losing the opening game 20 points to 5, Michael Barry showed glimpses, finishing off a well worked try down the left-hand side. The boys picked themselves up again for Allenbourn Middle School who also were full of club rugby players. Purbeck started brightly, running in two quick tries courtesy of Jack Lowry and Bertie Warren. After ringing the changes at half time to ensure equal minutes for all players, Purbeck unfortunately conceded four tries in a row, with Joe Bohane scoring his first ever try for the school as a consultation.

Despite the initial two losses, the boys were up beat and really started to enjoy their rugby in the second half of the competition. This resulted in four straight wins, a lot of laughs and mountains of positivity. Frist the boys beat Twynham 15-5, with Bertie finishing off a flowing move down the right-hand side. Jack Lowry then stepped up once again with two excellent finishes, before being substituted much to his annoyance. This then became a common theme of the afternoon, with the same situation occurring in the next three games! The next game was significantly closer though, with Purbeck eventually pulling through 15-10 against a very physical and dynamic Highcliffe School. Henry Wright was very generous handing Emyr Griffiths the captaincy for this game, only to be subbed straight after the coin toss! All in good spirit. Purbeck then continued their rich run of form to beat The Bourne Academy, 20 points to 5, Jack Lowry scoring two (and being resultantly subbed) and Michael Barry storming over for two more to his name. Purbeck played their best rugby in the final game against Avonbourne. Straight from the kick off Jenson Ginno caught the ball, powered through two players (leaving them in his wake), side stepped the third to then bundle himself over the line. An epic score of all proportions. This was followed up by two Jack Lowry tries and Michal rounding the victory off, 20-5.

A lovely and highly enjoyable afternoon, with just as many laughs as good rugby which is exactly what school rugby is about, making life-long memories.

Player of the Tournament: Jack Lowry

Team: Henry Wright, Emyr Griffiths, Rees Zammit, Archie Burt, Michael Barry, Bertie Warren, Will Nix, Vinny, Joe Bohane, Jenson Ginno, George Whittaker, Sam Munns.