During the weekend 19-20th October 2024, the OSH senior rugby team participated in the John Fisher School Invitational National State School Rugby Festival.
The concept behind the festival was to showcase the level of rugby talent in the state school sector. It was an opportunity for our 1st XV to test their skills against 12 of the best rugby playing state schools from across the country.
Our squad was comprised of a mixture of Years 11,12 and 13; some of whom had enjoyed success in the national competitions at Twickenham the season before last, a number of long-standing plays, and others who only joined the OSH Sixth Form in September.
Over the course of the two-day festival we played six x 20 minute games. The first five games are against those in our group which we won being unbeaten against RGS Lancaster, Ravens Wood School, Langley Park School, Wimbledon College and the hosts themselves John Fisher School. That placed us into a final against a very strong teams from The Judd School.
In blustery wet conditions the boys played a very structured game, controlling the territory well and forcing The Judd School, who themselves were previously unbeaten, to defend their own line for long periods of the game. One try from a driving maul and then a further converted try from a mistake by The Judd left the score at 12:0, and us as the very first winners of the National State Schools Rugby Festival.
Following the games the trophy was presented to our captain, Ollie McCarthy by the tournaments main sponsor Mr. Peter Bennett. Sincerest thanks must go to John Fisher School for organising such a successful event and giving us the opportunity to showcase our talent. Also, to our tournament sponsor DTX Solutions Ltd who were ever-present throughout the weekend.
We are already looking forward to next year and the growth of the festival.
