Thursday 24 October 2013


Who's a pretty boy then?

Stop Press! Shocking Fashion criminal

U16 Vs Selection De Cote D'Argent

An exceptionally tough fixture played over three thirds. To begin with Hurst were truly rabbits in headlights. Confronted with a very large physical team with pace and strength to burn. 

The score line 57-0 does not tell the full story. Selection De Cote D'Argent are a regional side which may be comparable to selecting from Sussex & Kent. 

Following the startling glare of the headlights, slowly they dimmed and players started to shine. As Mr Kift told the boys following the conceding of two tries, we've practiced our attacking game, today......a day to practice your defensive game. 

Jonny Newland and Sam Johnson put there best foot forward and attacked aggressively in both defence and attack. Fergus O'Brien put his muscle to good use and fronted up the best that the opposition had to offer. Hurst were slow to realise that we needed to tire this huge team out and the only way to do this was to run the ball at every opportunity! This slowly became apparent and when it clicked we broke the line with storming runs from Hebbard, Hickmet and Newland. 

In a game of this physicality there are always injuries and the loss of Joe Ratcliff was huge to the momentum of the team. Christopherson and Harvey battled hard all game from the base to speed up thing and to unleash our backs, unfortunately there was not enough space for the ever persistent Osler Holt who was relentless with the ball.

A big mention must go to Sam Pfeiffer and Dom King who gave everything they had all game, Dom as last man in the defence was fearless in the tackle and under the highball. 

A cracking effort from the boys, there was not much noise coming from them during our two hour journey to Biarritz post match. Much to learn however not one person that took the field during this game let anyone else in red and white down!

Team : Mills (Burnett), Pfeiffer, O'Brien, Atkins, Jenkins (Hebbard), Hickmet, Oliver, M.Smith, Harvey (Christopherson), Ratcliff (Hiller), Osler-Holt, Newland, Johnson, Compton, King

Did I say we had torrential rain prior to kick off? 




Tuesday 22 October 2013

Bordeaux

What else has been happening?

- karaoke for 1 hour back from our fixtures (some very dodgy voices!)
- 10km kayak tour 
- 2 rounds of Laser Quest 

More photos and updates to come

Regards


Mr May

1st XV Vs Pays De Medocain

Hurst 1st XV 51 - 5 Pays de Medocain

The first team played the opening game of the tour bathed in glorious sunshine. The side was inspired by the French country side. The game was played with flair and style, worthy of any French side of the past. The boys ran in 9 tries, including a hat trick from Hugo Healy. 

The scoring was opened by James Hebbard, finishing off a series of well timed passes to score in the right corner.  The boys managed to retain possession throughout the match which meant their French opponents were under constant pressure. 

The second half started much the same as the first. Despite the ceremonial kick off being taken by the clubs Director of Rugby, Argentinian international Lisandro Arbizu (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisandro_Arbizu - http://youtu.be/kXP4wnKFMCY) . The forwards were relentless at the set piece. Particularly Leon Pye who chipped in with a brace of his own. 

Toby Smith is back to his very best. He and Rob White threatened the defence at every opportunity. Toby scored a try, two conversions and assisted in Ben Meyeratken's try.  Ollie Osler-Holt managed to score a try on debut. 

Final score 51-5.



U16 Vs Payes de Medocain

A high scoring match which was down to the quality of rugby that the 16s played. A competitive game however the opposition could not live with the dynamism and continuity that Hurst played with. 

Jo Ratcliff once again pulled the strings on the game brilliantly bagging himself a try stepping round a player to dot down and also a flying run down the wing completed with a ash splash to score. Osler Holt added to his score sheet with two mazy runs leaving numerous players in his wake. Harry Hickmet pounced down the wing to very apologetically score under the posts. Fergus O'Brien who is continuing to impress with his performances charged over following great passage of play Hurst breaking tackles and offloading and he stormed down the blindside to dive over. 
James Hadfield had a solid first third (he now leaves us on Wednesday to play for Sussex U16 and we shall await his return for the Saturday fixture) and managed to bag himself two devasting tries through the middle of countless opposition players. Finally George Oliver charged through the centre of the field to outpace the full back score.

Kicking practice is on the to dos list with only 4 out of 10 being converted. The boys grabbed there opportunity to show the 1st XV coaches what thy are made and displayed great promise for the future! Final score 58-0.

Team: O'Brien, Pfeiffer, Mills, Atkins, Jenkins, Hadfield, Smith (c) Christopherson, Ratcliff, Osler Holt, Hiller, Johnson, Compton, King
Subs all used through the three thirds played - Oliver, Harvey, Burnett, Cowley 

Tries:
Ratcliff (2)
Hickmet 
Smith 
O'Brien 
Osler Holt (2)
Hadfield (2) 
Oliver 
Cons : Ratcliff (4)

Match 1 u16 Vs St Albans School


After an exceptionally early Sunday morning what followed was a remarkably quick flight into Bordeaux. Before the boys had a chance to soak up the sunshine that greeted us we were on the bus and off to our first fixture. 

A combined u16/17 side played against a strong side from St Albans School, England. 
In what was a cracking game of rugby officiated by our very own Mr Kift Hurst came out victorious 24-21. 

Hurst twice came back from behind, once after conceding two soft tries early on in the first half, missed tackles and giving the ball away!! The team were spurred on by the centre partnership of Johnson and Newland who broke gainline freely which eventually resulted in a try for Jonny Newland (converted by Newland)  Sam Johnson break and offload set Jonny up under the posts. Followed up seconds later by a kick through from Joe Ratcliff, Harry Compton gathered the ball on the run evaded two defenders and from the resultant penalty for killing the ball James Hadfield quickly tapped, went and bulldozed his way over the line. 

With the scores tied at half time we went into the second half full of confidence. However a quick first half try from St Albans put us on the back foot (again). With unrelenting forward dominance thanks to O'Brien, Pfeiffer and an inspirational Miles Smith who put in a top effort chasing down the St Albans left wing to make a certain try saving tackle into touch. 

With the dominance and amount of ball we were getting Ratcliff was allowed to orchestrate the game at fly half, James Hadfield bagged himself a brace following aggressive and direct running. 
The score was close at 21 - 19 when Ratcliffe looped round Johnson and flung the ball wide sending the Ben Cohen esque Harry Compton storming down the touchline to score. 24-21

St Albans rallied a late comeback however the race to the tackle was won by Hurst and we took the victory. 

Team - O'Brien, Hadfield, Mills, Smith (c), Jenkins, Pfeiffer, Hickmet, Oliver (Atkins, 45), Harvey (Christopherson, 35), Ratcliff, Osler-Holt, Newland (Hiller, 45), Johnson, Compton, King

Tries - Newland, Hadfield (2), Compton
Cons - Newland (2)

MOM (nominated by St Albans) - Sam Johnson







Tuesday 16 July 2013

Tour Deposit

Dear All,

 There has been a great response so far for the tour, please make sure that you have let Steve May know your intentions to tour or not as so on as possible.

 Deposits by cheque to be in by Friday 19th July (3 Days!)

 Regards, Tour Committee

Tour Sponsors

We are looking for Tour Kit Sponsors.

A unique opportunity to link your company with Hurst. With over 1000 pupils within the school your sponsorship will be publicly thanked through tour newsletters, tour blog and branding of your company on the tour kit. We will supply you with a piece of the tour kit that you sponsor and the item of kit will be photographed with the touring squad, this can be an opportunity for you to place any other branding that you wish from your company e.g. staff members, vans, boarding’s, etc.