Five Blue Coat pupils win place in England touch rugby squad

Published: 7 Jul 2014 06:300 comments

Rugby

FIVE pupils from Reading Blue Coat school have been called up to the England Under 18 touch rugby national squad for the European Championships in August.

England call: Blue Coat (dark blue) show off their touch rugby skills.

Alex Scott, Jacob Scadden, Aidan Larsen, Matt Smart and Adam Bailey have all been named in the squad which will be heading to Swansea to compete after an impressive season playing for the school’s Bro’s side in Division One of the O2 Touch League.

They enjoyed a great season as they won four and drew one game before being edged out in the semi-final by a strong men’s side that boasts six English players.

The following week the side competed in the third place play-off and defeated the Dirty Dumpers 4-0 to grab third spot on the podium.

Elsewhere, in Division One, The Flamingo’s secured victory after an impressive season.

They won six and drew one of their seven games, and saved their best for last as they put together an excellent team performance to defeat the Vikings 8-4 in the final.

The Falcons are the junior side and they came second in Division Two after winning four straight games in a row to secure a spot in the final against The Vixens.

It was their first season playing touch and they put up a spirited performance in the final against a strong side, but could only manage a 4-2 defeat.

Nicholas Matenga, the touch coach at Blue Coat, has recently been appointed England U18 mixed coach for the upcoming championships and says he is delighted with how the players have improved this season.

“To watch the players grow and develop this year has been a privilege,” he said. “They have become more confident and bold, and their skill levels have improved immensely.

“I would like to thank all those who played and supported us during this season.”

Meanwhile, Reading Blue Coat School secured victory when they hosted a six-team 20/20 festival of cricket recently.

On a glorious day, the hosts were joined by The Forest School, Windsor Boys’ School, Shiplake College, John Hampden Grammar School and Reading School for a day of cricket that saw more than 2,000 runs scored and more than 100 wickets taken.

The first round was a simple one for Blue Coat as they quickly dismissed Sonning-based Shiplake College with a comfortable run chase within eight overs.

Martin Andersson, 17, who plays for Reading and has represented Middlesex 2nds took 4-11 to help Blue Coat dismiss their opponents for just 78 runs.

Tom Halson (46) contributed the majority of the runs for Reading as they made the total with ease.

Next up was another comfortable win against John Hampden Grammar School, as the visitors made just 88 runs and Blue Coat chased it down comfortably.

Andersson was again the star of the show in the final against Forest School as his dominant batting and bowling display ensured the hosts would taste victory in their own competition.

He hit 57 runs to top score with the bat as Blue Coat set the visitors a target of 157 before taking 2-13 to help dismiss them for 77 runs and seal an

80-run win.

Blue Coat’s Master in Charge of 1st XI Cricket, Geoff Turner, who organised the event, commented: “It was a fantastic day’s cricket and so pleasing to see more than 70 boys enjoy a full day’s play.”

Article source: http://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/412837/Warren-Gatland-says-Australia-have-nothing-left

Five Blue Coat pupils win place in England touch rugby squad