Warwick School

Bermuda tour report

21 boys and 3 staff went to Bermuda for the 3rd XV tour and played 2 tests against the Bermudan U19’s. The first of the 2 games was played at the Bermudan Athletics Association’s ground under flood lights, a great experience for both boys and staff alike. Warwick put an early stamp on the game, turning the ball over from the kick off and scoring in the corner with the first of 2 tries for Mark Jackson on the wing. However, this early try was not to set the tone of the game, even though Warwick went in at half time 22 points up, there was still fight left in the Bermudan’s. They dominated the play in the second half keeping Warwick pinned to the own line for sustained periods of play. Warwick defended like lions and they occasionally broke out and scored some excellent tries. The final score was 41-7 to Warwick. The man of the 1st test was Rob Frear.

In the 2nd Test Warwick got off to a flying start once again with tries from Chris Wood and Michael Heap allowing us to dominate the game and eventually win 43 -5 with James Lucas named the man of the match.

As well as playing rugby the boys enjoyed other experiences such as Bell Diving, snorkeling over ship wrecks, and of course some well deserved beach time. The touring party started the tour as 2 distinct groups L6 and U6 but ended the tour as a united squad of players. Every player deserves a mention, however Rob Pickering and Andy Rapley stood out for their powerful forward play and Will Morten dominated the high ball and made some darting runs from full back. Player of the tour was undoubtedly Will Vaughan who played probably his best 2 games ever on tour and the man of tour was Rob Howard, who not only lead the boys on the pitch but lead by example off the field. Well done to all the boys who contributed to this successful tour and thanks to Mr Schalch for planning and organizing the tour

Edinburgh tour

38 boys comprising the U13A and B squads completed a highly successful and enjoyable tour to Edinburgh during half-term. Both teams lost to larger and slightly older opposition on the first day and despite their brave performances, Warwick’s defensive deficiencies were open for all to see. Mr Nasey and Mr Barker quickly got to work on this vital area of the game with in-depth video analysis and extra training. This, and a day’s paintballing, had a dramatic effect on both teams who on the 3rd day of the tour defeated Merchiston Castle by the combined score of 120 to 7. The teams were also victorious in their final matches against strong opposition from George Watson’s school. The tourists returned bruised and weary but with their rugby vastly improved. Thanks to Mr Gibbs for leading this tour.

North of England tour

The U14 and U15 Rugby teams went on tour to the North of England this half term. Both of the teams played matches against Kings Macclesfield, Bradford Grammar and Barnard Castle. The U14 squad won convincingly against Kings Macclesfield but narrowly lost to both Bradford and Barnard Castle in closely fought matches. The U15 side won all three of their games and produced a strong and much improved performance against Barnard Castle on the last day to win 23-3. The player of the tour for the U14’s was Lewis Molloy and the U15’s player of the tour was Rhys Owen. The highlight of the tour was watching a superb Rugby League Grand Final between Leeds and St.Helens and then watching England beat France in the semi-final of the World Cup at Old Trafford Cricket Club. Thanks to Mr Pierce for leading this tour.

CCF

A convoy of Warwick school mini buses left for Nesscliffe training area for the annual half term CCF exercise. The area had recently been plunged into war by renegade mercenaries and it was the Warwick CCF’s job, as part of a UN peace keeping force to settle the situation. Arriving a little while later, camp was promptly set up and afternoon training began with good leadership from the L6th Corporals who lead the sections. During the evening the cadets moved through a night navigation exercise spanning the whole of the training area allowing them to become accustomed to the region. The next morning began with the platoon moving out to sweep and clear the area where they promptly came across friendly forces who had spotted enemy units. The squads deployed out to these positions and successfully destroyed all resistance. It was then that a radio transmission was received about an injured pilot, whom they were tasked with rescuing. The section commanders, Lance corporal Alex Stock and Lance corporal Charlie Thompson acted professionally as they provided first aid and withdrew from an ambush at the site. In the afternoon the task force was split down into groups of four and directed to get back to the camp without being caught by the U6th trackers. All were caught bar one; Will Xie and his squad. From the information collected from the pilot the cadets were able to set up an ambush along an enemy supply route, needless to say all enemies were crushed in the ensuing fire fight. The next morning was spent packing away and taking down camp and we were quickly back at school by midday.

CCF Orienteering Competition

A team of six cadets travelled to Cannock Chase on the first Sunday of half term to take part in the West Midlands Brigade CCF Orienteering competition. Alex Hewitt was our fastest runner with a time of 50 minutes, but all the team completed the course in good times. Overall Warwick School was placed second out of the seven CCF teams competing.

Poetry Competition Results

Once again a large number of Warwick School students entered the annual Stratford-upon-Avon Children’s Poetry Writing Competition.

Last Sunday 11 boys attended a poetry ‘concert’ in Stratford where their poems were performed by Jeffery Dench and Claire Nielson, both distinguished actors with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

In the Year 7 competition, third place prizes were awarded to James Foster and Ben Lavelle; second place prizes were awarded to Thomas Johnston-Smith and Joel Othen-Lawson; and first prize went to Jack Foden for his poem ‘Homework’.

In the Year 9 competition, Callum McCullough was awarded the second place prize, and the winner was Michele (pronounced Mick-ay-lee) Senso.

Meanwhile, Chris Brown and James Day shared second place in the Year 10 Competition, with Tom Powell winning first prize.

Finally, Jonathan Lindsell won first prize in the Year 13 section with ‘Anticipation’ – a darkly humorous poem, looking forward to the extinction of the current President of the United States.

Warm congratulations to all the prize winners, and may I ask Jack Foden, Michele Senso, Tom Powell and Jonathan Lindsell to come forward to receive their first place prizes and our applause.

Warwick School Golf - Individual Tournament 2007-8

18 boys competed in the Warwick School Golf Tournament held at Leamington and County Golf Club on the first Monday of half term .
There was a strokeplay competition off scratch and a full handicap stableford competition.

Good scores were posted by James Cumberland and Charles James but the winner of the ‘Strokeplay competition’ with a Gross score of 77 [only 5 over par] was Captain of Golf - Tim Austin.

The winner of the Stableford competition with 39 points was Tom Hoare
Please would Tim Austin and Tom Hoare come forward to receive their trophies and our congratulations

We wish the school golf team good luck in their National cup match against Solihull school tomorrow

Charity

Raising money for good causes is an important activity at school and I was delighted to hear that Sam Gill won the competition for the most money raised in the country for the British Heart Foundation Golf competition (£3150 most raised in the History of the competition). Congratulations, Sam ; please come forward to receive your trophy.

Congratulations also to Tom Lewis on becoming the British Junior U18 Handicap Real Tennis Champion. Please come forward, Tom to receive our congratulations.