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Moulsford Preparatory School Boys-U11D vs  Caldicott Preparatory School
On: Wednesday, 06 Dec 2023
Venue: at Home

Moulsford Celebrates Festive Victory: Christmas Comes Early in 50-25 Win Over Caldicott

In a joyous and festive encounter this afternoon, Moulsford triumphed over Caldicott in a fantastic rugby fixture that served as the last game before the Christmas break. The spirit of giving was certainly present on the pitch as Moulsford emerged victorious with a 50-25 scoreline.

The Christmas magic began early for Moulsford as Gillington, spreading cheer like a rugby version of Santa, surpassed 20 tries for the school in the first quarter, putting Moulsford ahead 10-0. T Richards played the role of Santa's little helper, making lovely passes through the hands, while Graham-Stark, back on the games after a short break, made lung-busting runs to open up the space for his teammates.

With a squad of 14 facing the opposing 8, Moulsford had to shuffle the ranks at each quarter, and these changes did disrupt the flow of the game. Nevertheless, the team's Christmas spirit shone through as they adapted and showcased their skills on the field attacking and defending with real commitment.

Linares played the role of a nimble reindeer, scoring the third try with a great run down the right-hand side after a clever pass from J Richards. Despite Caldicott clawing one back, Gillington, with his festive hat-trick, scored his third of the game after incredible tackling and rucking efforts from Dixon, Stewart, and Fletcher turned the ball over in our favour.

Caldicott found their own form, closing the gap to 20-15, but Moulsford had their own Christmas miracle as Day ran under the posts, cleverly sidestepping the opposition from the 22m line. The third quarter, a gift for the neutrals, saw only one try scored by Houghton at the death after some strong defending.

The coaching team of Mr Skinner, Mr Firth and Mr Chaffey expressed their pride in the team's performance, emphasising the application of lessons learned in games. The boys showcased their handling and tackling skills, with Miron-Canosa delivering a breathtaking tackle early in the third quarter that completely deflated the Caldicott attack. Edward Young, named Man of the Match, displayed a masterclass without the ball, shutting down the opposition with his stellar defensive efforts. A real leader in the pack, some would say the ‘Star on the top of the tree’!

In the final quarter, Moulsford put their foot on the gas, with Day scoring the try of the day in a picturesque team effort. Houghton, Winckworth, and Emmanuel added to the festive cheer with their own tries, creating a truly wonderful game to be part of. Mr Skinner, Mr Firth and I expect the same level of dedication and performance next term, making this Christmas victory a highlight for both players and supporters alike. Enjoy the break boys, you deserve it!

Squad - Gillington, Graham-Clark, Winckworth, J Richards, T Richards, Emanuel,, Miron-Canosa, Linares, Day, Dixon, Fletcher, Thomas, Young and Houghton.

Mr Chaffey