After two weeks of touring we are looking forward to handing your children back to you! In all seriousness, we have all had an amazing time and the boys have been a credit to themselves, to you and to the school. We have had numerous comments praising their behaviour from members of public, from hosts, from hotel staff and staff involved in their activities. We have been really pleased with how they have performed on and off the field and feel they will take away many lessons from the experiences they have had. Thank you for your support and the comments on the blog. We wish all the boys the best for their rugby futures, hope you have a lovely summer.
See you in September
The L.A.D.S
Ps. We will be putting together a disc with photos and video footage from the tour. We will make this available in September.
Monday 18 July 2011
Back on British soil
We have arrived safely at Heathrow after an overnight stay at a luxury 5 star hotel in Seoul. We weren't expecting it but a very nice way to finish a great tour. We are currently on the bus on our way to school. We expect to be on Guthrie rd at 9:00pm depending on traffic conditions. See you there.
Saturday 16 July 2011
Friday 15 July 2011
Day 12 and results from final fixture.
The morning was spent chilling out with a bit of shopping in the city centre. We then made our way to St. Joseph's College, Nudgee (known as Nudgee) for the final fixture of the tour. A few boys were quite emotional when they realised that this would be their last ever game for The Pre.
After a fine display in their previous encounter, the Bs struggled to compete against Nudgee and it seemed that after two weeks, tired legs had got the better of them. They had trouble getting themselves up for the game and their confidence dropped early on. There were gutsy efforts from some individuals but these could not lift the team performance and they were eventually overwhelmed. It was a real pity that they couldn't finish on a high as their performances and determination in previous matches deserved it. They have come a long way over the last two weeks and will be able to use the experiences they have gained out here to make themselves better rugby players.
Judging by the look in the eyes of the A team boys before the game, they were certainly up for the challenge ahead. They had clearly learnt from their previous games that hitting the ruck in a low position and tackling the bigger opponents around the legs was the recipe for success. At the end of a tough but close first half we were trailing 10-0, but very much in the game. A lot of possession and pressure led to a charged down try by Will Stump which was converted by Jack Coates (10-7). Nudgee scored again soon after to make the score 15-7, if anyone was under the impression that this was the end of the game, the Clifton lads had a surprise for them as they dominated an extraordinary last 5 minutes of the match with Andrew King running in two tries, both created by breaks from Tom Horton. Final Score 17-15 to Clifton.
A fantastic finish to a tough but very exciting match and a result the boys thoroughly deserved after the hard work they have put in throughout the tour. Every lad has given of their best and the feeling and delight they showed at the final whistle was a wonderful way to finish the playing part of the tour.
After the presentations we hot footed across town to see the Brisbane Broncos thump, their local rivals, The Gold Coast Titans 30-10. Alarmingly the weather decided to do impression of an English summer and the tour kagools came in quite handy. However, the boys were treated to some world class rugby league play from the planet's greatest player: Darren Lockyer.
The boys are now tucked up in bed, resting before their last day in Australia.
After a fine display in their previous encounter, the Bs struggled to compete against Nudgee and it seemed that after two weeks, tired legs had got the better of them. They had trouble getting themselves up for the game and their confidence dropped early on. There were gutsy efforts from some individuals but these could not lift the team performance and they were eventually overwhelmed. It was a real pity that they couldn't finish on a high as their performances and determination in previous matches deserved it. They have come a long way over the last two weeks and will be able to use the experiences they have gained out here to make themselves better rugby players.
Judging by the look in the eyes of the A team boys before the game, they were certainly up for the challenge ahead. They had clearly learnt from their previous games that hitting the ruck in a low position and tackling the bigger opponents around the legs was the recipe for success. At the end of a tough but close first half we were trailing 10-0, but very much in the game. A lot of possession and pressure led to a charged down try by Will Stump which was converted by Jack Coates (10-7). Nudgee scored again soon after to make the score 15-7, if anyone was under the impression that this was the end of the game, the Clifton lads had a surprise for them as they dominated an extraordinary last 5 minutes of the match with Andrew King running in two tries, both created by breaks from Tom Horton. Final Score 17-15 to Clifton.
A fantastic finish to a tough but very exciting match and a result the boys thoroughly deserved after the hard work they have put in throughout the tour. Every lad has given of their best and the feeling and delight they showed at the final whistle was a wonderful way to finish the playing part of the tour.
After the presentations we hot footed across town to see the Brisbane Broncos thump, their local rivals, The Gold Coast Titans 30-10. Alarmingly the weather decided to do impression of an English summer and the tour kagools came in quite handy. However, the boys were treated to some world class rugby league play from the planet's greatest player: Darren Lockyer.
The boys are now tucked up in bed, resting before their last day in Australia.
Thursday 14 July 2011
Teams for fixture 5
The teams for tomorrow's final matches versus St. Joseph's, Nudgee are:
1 T.Probert
2Y.Michael
3 D.Garner-Hodgson
4 J.Cooper(c)
5 X.Buoy
6 B.Lowe
7 F.Turner
8 I.Cohen
9 S.Matthews
10 C.Streatfield-James
11 J.Holland
12 J.Stratford
13 W.Egerton
14 J.Daybell
15 W.Hamilton-Davies
Clifton A
1 D.Mitchell
2 M.Conn
3 R.West
4 A.Fallon
5 E.Paddon
6 J.Coates
7 W.Stump
8 B. Moffat
9 T.Horton(c)
10 E.Fowler
11 M.Reader
12 T.Waterfield
13 J.McDonnell
14 A.King
15 A.Williamson
The boys are looking forward to the game and we hope to finish the tour on another high with more fine team performances.
Clifton B
1 T.Probert
2Y.Michael
3 D.Garner-Hodgson
4 J.Cooper(c)
5 X.Buoy
6 B.Lowe
7 F.Turner
8 I.Cohen
9 S.Matthews
10 C.Streatfield-James
11 J.Holland
12 J.Stratford
13 W.Egerton
14 J.Daybell
15 W.Hamilton-Davies
Clifton A
1 D.Mitchell
2 M.Conn
3 R.West
4 A.Fallon
5 E.Paddon
6 J.Coates
7 W.Stump
8 B. Moffat
9 T.Horton(c)
10 E.Fowler
11 M.Reader
12 T.Waterfield
13 J.McDonnell
14 A.King
15 A.Williamson
The boys are looking forward to the game and we hope to finish the tour on another high with more fine team performances.
Day 11
We collected the boys after their last night of billeting and headed off to catch a boat we had chartered to take us to Moreton Bay.
Unfortunately en route we had a phone call to tell us that our boat had engineering problems and could no longer take us. Thankfully our rep, Lloyd, was super efficient and had arranged for a ferry trip to the same destination (we have been very impressed with how he has looked after us this tour). The new plan meant that would have the opportunity to feed some wild dolphins as well as the snorkelling that we were expecting.
On arrival at the Island, we collected our flippers and snorkel equipment and made our way towards the wrecks. There was plenty of fish and fortunately no sharks (that we saw), some boys did see a ray, though.
Sorry about this last picture, we were not allowed to use a flash with the dolphins so they didn't come out very well.
Unfortunately en route we had a phone call to tell us that our boat had engineering problems and could no longer take us. Thankfully our rep, Lloyd, was super efficient and had arranged for a ferry trip to the same destination (we have been very impressed with how he has looked after us this tour). The new plan meant that would have the opportunity to feed some wild dolphins as well as the snorkelling that we were expecting.
On arrival at the Island, we collected our flippers and snorkel equipment and made our way towards the wrecks. There was plenty of fish and fortunately no sharks (that we saw), some boys did see a ray, though.
We then spent a few hours playing volleyball, touch rugby and various other ball games in the sand until sunset. It was then time to feed the dolphins which was an amazing experience. There is a group of about ten wild Dolphins that return to beach every evening. We were able to wade into the water with them and they took small fish out of our hands. Incredible!
Sorry about this last picture, we were not allowed to use a flash with the dolphins so they didn't come out very well.
Wednesday 13 July 2011
Days 9 and 10
The Surf was up in Surfer's paradise on Day 9 of tour. All the boys took to the beach for a morning's instruction from the Get Wet Surf School. Most of the kids and staff managed to stand up and a great deal of fun was had by all. Robert West was 'king of the waves' and was reluctant to come out of the water when the session was over.
1 T.Probert
2Y.Michael
3 D.Garner-Hodgson
4 J.Cooper(c)
5 X.Buoy
6 B.Lowe
7 F.Turner
8 E.Paddon
9 S.Matthews
10 C.Streatfield-James11 J.Holland
12 J.Stratford
13 W.Egerton
14 J.Daybell
15 W.Hamilton-Davies
Clifton A
1 D.Mitchell
2 M.Conn
3 R.West
4 A.Fallon
5 I.Cohen
6 J.Coates
7 W.Stump
8 B. Moffat
9 T.Horton(c)
10 E.Fowler
11 M.Reader
12 T.Waterfield
13 J.McDonnell
14 A.King
15 A.Williamson
After the surfing we travelled up to Brisbane and met the hosts from Brisbane Grammar School.
Day 10
The teams for our fixture versus Brisbane Grammar were:
Clifton B
1 T.Probert
2Y.Michael
3 D.Garner-Hodgson
4 J.Cooper(c)
5 X.Buoy
6 B.Lowe
7 F.Turner
8 E.Paddon
9 S.Matthews
10 C.Streatfield-James11 J.Holland
12 J.Stratford
13 W.Egerton
14 J.Daybell
15 W.Hamilton-Davies
Clifton A
1 D.Mitchell
2 M.Conn
3 R.West
4 A.Fallon
5 I.Cohen
6 J.Coates
7 W.Stump
8 B. Moffat
9 T.Horton(c)
10 E.Fowler
11 M.Reader
12 T.Waterfield
13 J.McDonnell
14 A.King
15 A.Williamson
In the first match the B team lost 29-5 in what was a much closer game than the score suggests. It was great to get a try (from Sammie Matthews) and to see Tommy Probert make his first appearance of tour. The second half was a five all draw and the lads are starting to realise what they are capable of. The wide pitches have made it difficult for us all tour and the superior pace out wide was our downfall once again. The adjustments to the lineup helped in this respect and we were unlucky not to score a few more points.
In the second match the A team lost 60-0 in what was another tough encounter. The boys again gave a good account of themselves but were beaten by very a strong side. The boys are growing in stature and are proving themselves individually with some outstanding tackling and determination. Again, the wide pitches and the strength of the opposition at the breakdown was our downfall.
There have been no serious injuries but a few bumps and bruises as the tour enters its final phase, their spirits remained high as they left for their last night of billeting. Well done to the entire squad for another fantastic effort. We are all learning a lot about ourselves and the game of rugby over here in the southern hemisphere.
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