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The Stopfordian 2011–2012
SPORT
It is with pride that we can reflect on another fine year of sport
at the School. Record numbers of our pupils have
represented teams and a growing number of others are taking
part in activities throughout the week. Weather permitting,
sport takes place every Saturday throughout the year. This is
in addition to mid-week fixtures and the many sporting clubs
and activities that form an important part of the week. The
spectrum of achievement is wide. The pinnacle was reached
this year by two of our pupils. Both Martha Watson (Hockey)
and James Flynn (Rugby) were selected to represent England.
This is an incredible achievement and I hope that their success
will inspire others to follow in the future.
My thanks go to the Catering, Caretaking and Grounds
departments for all their support throughout the year and also
to the many parents who brave the elements on Saturday
mornings. My thanks also go to the team of academic staff
who coach teams and run activities throughout the year, and
to my colleagues in the PE Department who work tirelessly to
make the provision of sporting opportunities so outstanding at
the School.
C. J. Wright
Sports captains 2011-12
RUGBY
The 2011-12 rugby season was one of un-paralleled success,
on both a regional and national scale.
The Senior teams had an excellent season with the 1 st XV
(sponsored by Brooks Macdonald Wealth Management)
progressing to the Quarter-Finals of the Daily Mail Vase
competition, where they succumbed to The Leys’ School in
Cambridge who went on to win the competition. The 2 nd XV,
under Mr Urwin’s expert tutelage, had their most successful
season in recent memory, only losing one game throughout
their campaign.
National success was not only limited to the 1 st XV, with the
outstanding U15 side, under Mr Hanson’s masterful guidance,
experiencing unrivalled success throughout the season
winning 16 games and in the process scoring an impressive
817 points. One of the best age-group sides to have been
seen at Stockport Grammar, they made it all the way to the
last 16 of the Daily Mail Cup competition before losing to an
outstanding side, and eventual winners of the competition,
The Grammar School at Leeds. The squad was equally
impressive on the Sevens circuit, claiming the titles at the
prestigious Myles Marshall Sevens, the Giggleswick Sevens
and runner’s up in the Cheshire Sevens.
The Junior sides acquitted themselves very well on a number
of levels. The U14s progressed to the Cheshire Cup semifinals
and played some exciting rugby under Mr Hilton and Mr
Cottrell, winning 14 of their 19 games. The U13s made
excellent progress thanks to Mr Ehegartner and Mr Bowden
and finished the season winning silverware at the KEQMS
Sevens and The King’s
School’s tournament. Mr
Wright and Mr Morton
worked tirelessly with the
U12s, who in their first
season showed a lot of
potential for the future.
James Flynn, 1 st XV Captain,
was rewarded for an
excellent season by being
selected to represent
England U18 Clubs and
Schools and it was just
reward for his hard work
and dedication. A record
number of players received representative honours and are
involved in the EPDG at Sale Sharks.
I would like to thank Mr Urwin, Mr Hanson, Mr Hilton, Mr
Cottrell, Mr Ehegartner, Mr Bowden, Mr Wright, Mr Morton
and Mr Grant for their unstinting support throughout the year,
without whom it would not be possible to run so many teams.
The Grounds staff continue to work wonders and produce the
best playing surfaces in the region. Finally I would like to
thank all of the parents for their continued support of rugby at
Stockport Grammar School and I can assure you that the
future is most definitely bright!
E. H. Corbett
80 Sport