International schools rugby tournament
Last weekend the U18 Boys Rugby team left for the end of season ISST Rugby Tournament in Brussels. Given that just days before departure several players were not able to attend the trip due to injury and illness, the 8 man squad went into this Rugby Sevens tournament with measured expectations.
The first match was against the American School of Paris (Team 1). The BSP outplayed the opposition, comfortably winning BSP 19 – 7 ASP1.
The following game was against the American School of Paris (Team 2) who started the match in high spirits having claimed their own first victory. The opposition had some strong athletic runners but ultimately succumbed to the BSP defence with the final score: BSP 22 – 14 ASP2 to the BSP. The game however came at a cost to us with Year 11 Jean-Samuel Oforiokuma being tackled whilst making one of his trademark attacks down the wing and subsequently sustaining an injury that ruled him out of the rest of the tournament.
With the rest of the tournament still up for grabs in the third game we faced hosts the International School of Brussels down to 7 men. The team demonstrated true grit and courage and played some of their best Rugby of the season beating the hosts comfortably BSP 24 – 0 ISB.
Unfortunately with no substitutes available in the final match and with several players feeling the effects of cramp and fatigue we next had to play against a 14 man British School of the Netherlands squad. Despite their best efforts and some hard fought battles at the breakdown the team lost this match BSP 0 – 25 BSN. To make matters worse, we also lost scrum-half Radu to injury in the final tackle of the game – ruling him out for the rest of the weekend. As a result, the team with insufficient players was forced to forfeit the day 2 matches. Nevertheless the remaining players managed to thoroughly enjoy the matches on Day 2 without the pressure of winning of losing.
The teaching staff were most impressed not just by the victories the team claimed but more importantly the emotional resilience and camaraderie each player displayed to his fellow team mate throughout. When their backs were against the wall, each player fought hard for the man next to him and the staff could not help but look on in admiration. Although this was not the end of the season that most had hoped for it does set the team up for next year in what promises to be a very successful future.
Special mention must go to Mariano as Captain – our only Year 13 student and Radu in Year 12 who received player of the tournament from staff. Well done everyone.
