#14 | CANADA (2007)

40 boys | 24 days | 11 fixtures

PLAYED: 11|WON: 10|LOST: 1|DRAWN: 0| CO-EFFICIENT: 3.62
PTS FOR: 547| PTS AGAINST: 67| PTS DIFF: 490|BONUS PTS: 39.80

Edmonton - Hinton - Jasper - Calgary - Kelowna - Williams Lake -  Chilliwack - Vancouver - Cowichan - Victoria

tour itinerary

TOUR RECORD

WIN %: 90.9%| CO-EFFICIENT: 3.62|BONUS PTS: 39.80

PLAYED: 11 | WON: 10 | LOST: 1 | DRAWN: 0
PTS FOR: 547 | PTS AGAINST: 67 | PTS DIFF: 490

1st XV results

WIN %: 100%| CO-EFFICIENT: 4.23|BONUS PTS: 21.16

PLAYED: 5 | WON: 5 | LOST: 0 | DRAWN: 0
PTS FOR: 323 | PTS AGAINST: 15 | PTS DIFF: 308

2nd XV

WIN %: 83.3%| CO-EFFICIENT: 3.11|BONUS PTS: 18.64

PLAYED: 6 | WON: 5 | LOST: 1 | DRAWN: 0
PTS FOR: 224 | PTS AGAINST: 42 | PTS DIFF: 182

SEASON REVIEW 2006-2007

 It has been another extraordinary season for Campion and one in which they have surpassed all the expectations. A side that were written off by some at the start of the season because of size, temperament and inexperience, they have come on as a squad and as players to bolster an impressive end of season review. The side can look back on how they went on an unbeaten nine game run, they were the first Campion side to win away at arch rivals John Fisher, they reached the 6th Round of the Daily Mail National Cup and they were victorious in two sevens competitions, to name but a few outstanding achievements.

The beginning of the season saw Campion enter an annual 'warm up' tournament which they won convincingly and was a good opportunity for new players to embed themselves in the side as well as giving players some much needed Senior XV experience. The opening fixture for Campion sees them travel every year to their arch rivals John Fisher. This was a side Campion have notoriously struggled to defeat away from home and they were, in fact, knocked out of the Daily Mail National Cup at the hands of John Fisher just two seasons previous. So when the side rolled into the John Fisher car park, few could forgive the supporters from believing the result was academic. David Vincent's side had other ideas and in the finest hour of Campion rugby since the cup winning performance at Twickenham in 2001. Campion stole a march on Fisher and ended the game having beaten their rivals 26-10, the first side in over two decades to record a victory against Fisher on their own turf!

So with the season on a high the side seemed to steam roller every side they came up against and went on a nine game unbeaten run, scoring 302 points in the process and conceding just 33. The run saw the team playing decent opposition who also compete in the national competition. In October they competed in the annual rugby festival (St Joseph's Rugby Festival, Ipswich) that sees the best twenty sides in the land battle it out for a chance to win the Cup or the Plate. Campion surprised many and found themselves in the Cup competition after day one, the first side in three years to achieve this. On the second day the side were hampered by injuries and as result crashed out of the competition abruptly, yet still retained great pride in what they had achieved. The Festival gave the players the perfect chance to bond together as a squad, to improve as players and its impact was evident in the circuit games that followed, as Campion went from strength to strength.

The Daily Mail Cup saw Campion, this season, fall short at the 6th Round mark although it has to be said their opponents St Benedict's (eventual semi-finalists) were an extremely good side. In four of the previous rounds the matches were abandoned before the half time whistle as a result of Campion accumulating 50 points inside thirty minutes! What the side may have lacked in size and strength in the forwards is more than made up for in pace and skill of the backs, this was evident in the Daily Mail Cup throughout the campaign and was even noted in the Rugby World magazine.

After the 15-a-side season had ended in February, the players looked towards the Sevens season with great anticipation given the pace and skill the side possess. In five competitions, Campion won two of them and exacted some revenge over St Benedicts, the side that had dismissed them from the Daily Mail Cup earlier in the season, by beating them in the final. In the remainder of the competitions the players were knocked out in the quarter-finals and in the semi-finals but still did magnificently well after a long and gruelling 15-a-side season.

 Throughout the season many players excelled themselves, Aidan Mersh, Greg Hanshaw, Callum McKie and Jon Webber to name but a few. Daniel Walshe was reliable and trusty with the boot throughout the entire season whilst other players, such as Alex Miller, Sean Davis, Michael Carter and Sam Cooke developed well and look set to dominate Campion rugby next term. Liam Shanahan and Robert Gash were consistent all season whilst Rory Crisp and Gavin Callaghan were impact players from the bench whenever called upon. But perhaps the best player of the season was Second Row Luke Andrew, whose performance at the St Joseph's Festival was inspirational to the team and who was a key component in the Campion set piece right the way through the season. David Vincent and Conor Canny, the Captain and Vice-Captain respectively, led the squad of players extremely well, ensuring there was always competition for places and were examples of brilliance and motivation both on and off the pitch, ensuring the side selected had the best possible chance of succeeding.

Captain David Vincent admits that this season has left him slightly frustrated at the side's inability to make the Daily Mail Cup Final at Twickenham but he is still immensely proud of his side and the enormous progress they have made and he is positive that Campion are ready to take on Canada's finest.

The side can look back at many achievements over the course of the year with many players earning county, district and national trials. They were defeated just once at home all, season and three times in total throughout the whole season. They proved to their doubters that they can play and more importantly, beat some of the best schoolboy sides in English Rugby. Despite the noticeable disappointment of a premature cup exit, Campion can look back with vast pride and pleasure with their season and Canada will be the perfect setting to put any of the season's wrongs, right!

Tour Squad

MASTERS

Chris Jones (Tour Manager, Head of Rugby / 1st XV Coach)
Hopes for the Tour: To enjoy a relaxing and peaceful tour, whilst watching the boys play some of the best rugby of their lives
Interests: I enjoy watching and playing most sports. Watching Science Fiction films (especially Star Wars) also watching 24. The odd curry, from time to time.

John Johnson (Headmaster)
Hopes for the Tour: To meet new friends, to encounter new experiences and to witness some great rugby.
Interests: Reading, sport and travel.

Colin Lloyd-Jones (Forwards Coach)
Hopes for the Tour: To return enlightened, enlivened and undefeated, having enjoyed Canada at its best.
Interests: Good wine, good food and good rugby.

Bob Mansell (Position: Head of PE, Tour Goffer)
Hopes for the Tour: Re-acquaint with old friends, meet new friends, enjoy Canadian hospitality (again), being part of rugby is what it's all about.
Interest: Watching and coaching all sports.

Gregg Durr (Assistant Forwards Coach)
Hopes for the Tour: To see more of Canada and to watch some great rugby.
Interests: Football and walking.

Tour CAPTAIN

#038: David Vincent (Fly Half/Centre)
Age: 17 | Weight: 80kg
Interests: Most sports mainly rugby, having a laugh with my mates and listening to music.
Hopes: To have an unbeaten tour playing a high standard of rugby, gain new experiences and learn about different cultures and styles of rugby.
Future: To go to University and carrying on playing rugby at a high level. I would like to be successful in any path I choose.  

TOURING SQUAD

#001: Luke Andrew (Second Row)
Age: 17 | Weight: 80kg
Interests: Playing rugby, socialising over a few soft drinks.
Hopes: To experience playing against different nationalities and to party hard but play harder.
Future: To continue a future in sport and continue to play rugby for as long as I can. 

#002: Christopher Benney (Wing/Full Back)
Age: 17 | Weight: 68kg
Interests: I enjoy going out with friends, having the odd drink, playing rugby and playing a bit of golf in my spare time with my dad.
Hopes: To enjoy the culture of a different country and have a once in a lifetime experience with good friends and play some good rugby.
Future: I am hoping to join the RAF but if not I hope to go to University and work in sport.

#003: Patrick Bion (Centre)
Age: 17 | Weight: 74kg
Interests: All sports, having good time with friends and family. Working and playing hard in everything I do.
Hopes: To play quality rugby wherever we go, to improve as a player both on and off the pitch.
Future: Go on to University to complete my education, to study design while continuing to play rugby along the way 

#004: Oliver Bissett-Johnson (Prop/Flanker)
Age: 18 | Weight: 85kg
Interests: Going to the gym, any sports and socialising,
Hopes: To improve as a player and experience playing against other nationalities.
Future: Go to University get a degree. Go into business and earn loads of money.

#005: Ben Bolger (Fullback/Fly Half)
Age: 17 | Weight: 81kg
Interests: All other sports, having a laugh and going to the cinema.
Hopes: To go unbeaten throughout the tour, enjoy the culture and lifestyle, gain experiences that will I remember for years and develop a squad good enough to win the Daily Mail cup.
Future: Play Super League and make a success of my second career... and go travelling round the world with my brother 

#006: Matthew Buchan (Fly Half/Centre)
Age: 17 | Weight: 85kg
Interests: Rugby, eating, socialising, over a ruby (curry), a cobra with my close mates, going to school and reading general knowledge books.
Hopes: To play rugby against other players from different nationalities, to experience Canada with the squad and to strengthen friendships with other squad members.
Future: To go to the top of the game, but if it doesn't work then hopefully go into stockbroking and to be the sex god like my dad.

#007: Gavin Callaghan (Sub)
Age: 18 | Weight: 103kg
Interests: Playing Rugby and following my beloved Sunderland AFC, also addicted to BBC Parliament as I am a Politics Geek!
Hopes: To start at least one 1st XV game.
Future: To be Prime Minister of Great Britain. If that fails, form a boyband with Shanners & Gashy. 

#008: Conor Canny (Back Row)
Age: 18 | Weight: 102kg
Interests: Socialising, Gaelic football, hurling, golf, weights and watching Munster play.
Hopes: To gain valuable experience both on and off the pitch. Have an awesome time on tour with the boys. Future: Pursue a career in rugby union.

#009: Michael Carter (Back Row)
Age: 17 | Weight: 78kg
Interests: Socialising, eating, reading adventure novels and having cake eating competitions with my dad.... oh and rugby.
Hopes: To gain experience and to get stronger links with the squad going.
Future: Be financially content and hopefully become a P.E. teacher.

#010: Richard Cleveland (Flanker)
Age: 17 | Weight: 78kg
Interests: Socialising, sport and music. Having a few drinks with mates and eating.
Hopes: Eat my weight in steak whilst seeing new stuff and playing some good rugby
Future: To go to University, continue playing rugby and get rich.

#011: Samuel Cook (Second/Back Row)
Age: 17 | Weight: 97.5kg
Interests: Rugby, swimming, socialising and fishing.
Hopes: To gain the experience of playing rugby in another country. To experience the lifestyles and cultures, also to gain stronger links with the squad members.
Future: I would like to pursue a rugby career and play to the highest level possible.

#012: Rory Crisp (Fly Half)
Age: 18 | Weight: 65kg
Interests: All sports, socialising, watching films, listening to music and getting my beauty sleep of course.
Hopes: I hope that I am able to experience new challenges, play at my best potential, improve as a player and also mature as a person.
Future: Qualify in something that will earn me a good living, also to play rugby for as long as I can and enjoy my life while doing so.

#013: Sean Davis (Prop/Hooker)
Age: 17 | Weight: 82kg
Interests: Rugby, NFL and socialising.
Hopes: I hope to meet new people and form a better friendship with my team mates. I also hope to discover what playing rugby in a foreign country is like.
Future: I would like to one day play for the Irish rugby team.

#014: Russell Frost (Scrum Half)
Age: 17 | Weight: 69kg
Interests: Socialising, cricket, sleeping, listening to music, Oh and rugby.
Hopes: To experience new cultures, to bond with team mates, develop as a player, to have a great time with the squad and remember the experience for the rest of my life!
Future: Maintain playing rugby for a University or club. I would like to study business, finance or marketing and become a successful money or stockbroker in the city.

#015: Rob Gash (Scrum Half)
Age: 18 | Weight: 80kg
Interests: Playing rugby and going out partying with my mates, maybe chatting up a few girls as well.
Hopes: To have a laugh with my mates, however, judging by some of the comments e.g. Aidans I'm not so sure that will happen! But if all else fails to win every game.
Future: Hopefully to play rugby at a higher level. To takeover my brothers mantle of Tiddlywinks champion, or if that fails, form a boyband with Shanners and Gav.

#016: Edward Gavigan (Wing)
Age: 17 | Weight: 82kg
Interests: Getting tipsy, going to parties, all sport, going out on the weekends with mates and going to the gym.
Hopes: I want to develop in all aspects of the game, this will improve me as an individual and a player and also I would like to see what it’s like living in Canada.
Future: Go to a University and follow a career in sports.

#017: Gregory Hanshaw (Back Row)
Age: 17 | Weight: 85kg
Interests: Physical contact sports, physical conditioning, admiring classic cinema, poker, David Brent impersonations, most importantly socialising with my friends.
Hopes: To play a high quality of rugby and go unbeaten throughout the tour. To experience things I have often dreamed about, which will hopefully improve myself as a person.
Future: To do something which surpasses my own life.

#018: Daniel Hibberd (Scrum Half)
Age: 17 | Weight: 67kg
Interests: I enjoy most sports, rugby in particular. I also enjoy going out with friends and just generally having a good time in life in anyway possible.
Hopes: I hope that we go unbeaten throughout the whole tour and that as a team we all develop as individuals and as a squad. I also hope that the tour will be a once in a life time experience that I will remember for a long time to come.
Future: To enjoy life to the fullest, whatever it may have in store for me in the future. To be the best I can be at whatever I do.

#019: Anthony Isaac (Hooker/Prop)
Age: 17 | Weight: 86kg
Interests: Rugby, going out, socialising, eating and a bit of pool.
Hopes: I want to develop myself as a player and gain experience of overseas competition. I also want to form and strengthen friendships with people I have played with since I started at Campion and new faces too.
Future: I would like to gain a degree in PE and carry on to become a PE teacher.

#020: Joe Jones (Back Row)
Age: 16 | Weight: 79kg
Interests: Obviously rugby both union and league. Swimming in my pool and just generally having a laugh with my mates.
Hopes: To play a high standard of rugby against boys almost two years older than me, to get bigger and stronger through the training and become closer with the boys in the year above me who I will play with next year.
Future: To join Campion Sixth Form and have a great two years with all my mates and achieve my grades. Only God knows where I will go from there.

#021: Keiran Jones (Second Row)
Age: 17 | Weight: 77kg
Interests: Rugby and Chinese people, having a good time with my mates, plus the occasional swim.
Hopes: To see a Moose and beating the Canadians as well as having fun expanding my knowledge in the ways of rugby.
Interests: Go further in rugby at Uni and from there see where life takes me. 

#022: William Larbey (Wing)
Age: 17 | Weight: 68kg
Interests: Fishing, NFL, rugby, chess and ice skating.
Hopes: Play high quality rugby with people I like and improve my rugby ability.
Future: Become a physiotherapist and play rugby in my spare time abroad. 

#023: Louis Lockwood (Scrum Half)
Age: 17 | Weight: 78kg
Interests: Time by myself, going out with close friends or meeting new people. I like challenges and new experiences. Hobbies include rugby along with shooting and drinking. I love Canadians.
Hopes: To better understand what it is like to play serious rugby across the world while representing my school. To increase the quality of friendships inside the rugby squad and to build friendships with everyone else.
Future: After going to University and getting a good high-paying job, I hope to settle down and become a Dad. I want to become the man my father is today.

#024: James Manning (Prop)
Age: 18 | Weight: 97kg
Interests: Rugby, listening to music, having a good laugh and going out.
Hopes: To play at a high level in an unfamiliar climate experiencing new challenges. I hope to have a great time and make lifelong friends out in Canada.
Future: Head off to Uni and experience life there, then get a job in finance. 

#025: Liam McEvoy (Scrum Half)
Age: 17 | Weight: 67kg
Interests: All sports and obviously going out and about with my mates for a social. I like playing the guitar in my chill time!
Hopes: To enjoy the rugby and experience the culture of Canada. To enjoy the whole tour with the squad, but by looking at some of these comments looks like we are going to have a right laugh. Hahaha..some real jokers.
Future: To succeed at school and hopefully go to Uni and then eventually get a good career in California. Who knows might be QB for the chargers!!!

#026: Callum McKie (Centre)
Age: 17 | Weight: 83kg
Interests: Rugby, football, most sports really, playing hard and working hard. I Do love a good party.
Hopes: I hope to gain a lot of experience whilst touring Canada and finally bring home the DM cup where it truly belongs. I wouldn't mind eating a native animal along the way.
Future: Go to Uni, study business law, enjoy myself and be a surfing champ in Orange County...... If that fails I put my faith in God. 

#027: Aidan Mersh (Front/Second Row)
Age: 18 | Weight: 104kg
Interests: Rugby, eating and sleeping.
Hopes: To play a better standard of rugby, make new friendships and strengthen old ones.
Future: Enjoy typical Uni life. Become a jockey, or if that fails go into politics.

#028: Alex Miller (Flanker)
Age: 17 | Weight: 95kg
Interests: I like going out with my mates, having laugh, a drink and rugby.
Hopes: I hope to go and experience a different culture, play teams of a good standard and have a good laugh with all the team.
Future: I want to join the R.A.F. when I leave Campion School to train in engineering 

#029: Steven Murrell (Flanker)
Age: 18 | Weight: 82kg
Interests: Rugby, football and anything else to do with sport. I also like to go out and have a good time.
Hopes: To gain better skills for myself and to also help those around me.
Future: To go on and become an electrician and to continue to play on in further sports. 

#030: Daniel Phimister (Back Row)
Age: 17 | Weight: 76kg
Interests: I obviously enjoy my rugby but I do enjoy swimming and badminton. I also have a great interest in American football.
Hopes: My hopes for tour are to meet new people, to improve myself as a player and to become closer with the team mates I am touring with.
Future: My ambitions for the future are to either play rugby professionally or to become an IRB referee and possibly do physiotherapy in my spare time.

#031: Joel Rech (Wing)
Age: 17 | Weight: 76kg
Interests: Most sports but mostly the odd beverage down the local and a karaoke every Sunday.
Hopes: To play some high quality rugby against the Canadians and to develop into a better player to then go on to win the Daily Mail cup.
Future: To tell stories of the tour to many people in the local and to go to University to play some more rugby.

#032: Rohan Seal (Front Row)
Age: 17 | Weight: 86kg
Interests: Rugby, curry, sleeping 'n' drinking.
Hopes: To develop skills on the pitch and to gain an experience of overseas rugby.
Future: To continue rugby, improve as a player for the following season and pass my A levels.

#033: Liam Shanahan (Hooker)
Age: 17 | Weight: 92kg
Interests: Playing rugby, supporting the mighty West Ham and occasionally going out with my mates.
Hopes: To win every game on tour, to enjoy the night life of Canada and getting STASH for my birthday.
Future: Hopefully play rugby at a high standard, or most probably become a teacher at Campion and follow my hero's footsteps Mr Friel.

#034: Simon Sharp (Centre)
Age: 18 | Weight: 84kg
Interests: Obviously rugby, going down the gym, being with friends and any other sport I can put my hand to.
Hopes: To meet new people, play some quality rugby and come back having had a great experience.
Future: Go to University and get loads of money. You only get from life what you put in.

#035: Edward Stembridge (Back Row)
Age: 18 | Weight: 104kg
Interests: Rugby, swimming and eating.
Hopes: On this tour I want to experience playing against a different nationality and be able to maintain a first team position throughout the tour.
Future: To enjoy playing rugby at University and achieve a premiership cap.

#036: Fred Swallow (Wing)
Age: 18 | Weight: 69kg
Interests: Socialising with friends, having the odd beverage and all sports.
Hopes: I hope to improve as a player and as a person on tour, experience playing against another countries teams and I also hope to see a Moose on my travels round Canada.
Future: Go to Uni and gain a degree in design to help me get a job I enjoy.

#037: Sean Tucker (Second Row)
Age: 17 | Weight: 78kg
Interests: Rugby of course, swimming, eating and mainly sleep, oh and agricultural farming.
Hopes: To experience new opposition and a new style to the game, I also intend to have a good time.
Future: Go to University, be successful and hopefully continue to play Rugby.

#039: Daniel Walshe (Wing/Centre)
Age: 18 | Weight: 87kg
Interests: I really enjoy rugby and the banter that goes with it. The socialising after games is always fun! I also enjoy golf and my sleep.
Hopes: To go on an unbeaten tour would be really good. But the main reason would be to develop as a team, as an individual and experience the different way of life in Canada
Future: To enjoy playing rugby at University and to become successful in business.

#040: Jon Webber (Winger)
Age: 18 | Weight: 76kg
Interests: Socialising, rugby, sleeping, eating and I also enjoy participating in all sports.
Hopes: To experience playing against a different nationality, experience the culture and lifestyle of Canada and also have an unbeaten tour.
Future: Pursue a career in sports and enjoy playing rugby at a high standard.

Edmonton

A solitary Piper and a Royal Canadian Mounty led the opening flags ceremony at a sun-soaked St Albert ground on Saturday, before the Campion teams got off to a winning start to their Canadian tour.

The temperatures touched 30 Centigrade as the 2nd XV took on a physically strong and energetic St Albert side, and although the shadows lengthened the 1st XV also played in unusually high temperatures against a newly-formed Alberta provincial XV whose inexperience together showed in the game and result. 

1st XV: Alberta Provincial XV

FINAL SCORE: 62-0 (w)

Match Report

Some welcome cloud cover brought a temporary drop in the heat for the 1 st XV match against the Alberta Provincial XV, although the sun returned to further sap the home team whose lengthy pre-match preparations in the sun had surprised most spectators. The visiting Campion team started the match energetically and with great commitment, but some wild passing led to good early moves breaking down. Gavigan showed promisingly on the right, following up some good kicks into the Alberta 22. Within a few minutes, however, that early lack of consistency had gone, and more controlled driving allowed Campion to snatch an early try through Shanahan. 

Shortly afterwards some precise passing gained ground down the left before Canny was able to exploit his pace and weight to dive over for a second try converted by Walshe. An attempt for a try from short-range by Gash was foiled, but a jinking run by the elusive captain Vincent on the left allowed him the space to score a try, well converted by Walshe.

The 19-0 lead, established after just sixteen minutes, seemed to knock the Alberta side completely out of their stride: although they continued to contest the game physically and with commitment, they never established a pattern to their play that allowed them to compete consistently. After the drinks break the visitors further established their ascendancy when Vincent drifted right through the defence to set Gavigan up for a good winger’s try, again converted by Walshe. Immediately following that Vincent set Walshe on a run on the left, and slick work by the back line brought the ball back to the right for a second Gavigan try. A determined attack by the Canadians was beaten back by an excellent Webber clearance, and the Campion forwards pushed up field to allow Vincent again to ease his way through the defence to score, followed by a Walshe conversion. A 38-0 lead at half-time reflected not so much a difference in physical application between the sides, but a difference in training and preparation that the Alberta players, working more individually, could not overcome. 

Inevitably the second half was a little anti-climactic, as the heat affected both sides and reduced their speed. Campion took a few minutes to re-establish their game plan, and pressurise the Canadian line. Hanshaw knocked down an Alberta clearance to grab a try when it seemed unlikely he could do so. Ten minutes into the half Webber ran through half the Alberta defence to score a brilliant individual try, converted by Walshe, and Walshe himself scored a try to cap an excellent left-sided move by the Essex boys. Another slick handling move then allowed Webber to score, and Walshe to complete the scoring with his sixth conversion. Alberta made brief but challenging attacks on the Campion line, and Campion put pressure on themselves with an ill-thought-out attempt to take a drop-out quickly as the game moved towards its end. 

Overall the forwards had worked very hard to create the platform for success, driving and rucking well and with a minimum of errors. The backs showed speed and skill, and exploited the opportunities opened by Vincent’s elusive running and the speed of Gavigan, Walshe, Webber and McKie.

This reporter had last seen the side play in the disappointing defeat against St Benedict’s, while the opposition here were different, the Campion team showed the commitment, application, skill and teamwork that never really surfaced at Ealing.

If only, if only, if only! 

J A Johnson
Headmaster

2nd XV: St Albert

FINAL SCORE: 36-3 (W)

MATCH REPORT

The opening exchanges in the 2nd XV game were roughly equal in a scrappy period of play punctuated by the award of several penalties against the Hornchurch boys, partly arising from their own indiscipline.

After nine minutes a St Albert penalty gave them a 0-3 lead, and the odds were short on a close encounter ensuing. But the score against them seemed to remind the Campion team of the instructions of their coaching team, and the forwards led by Phimister started to secure clean ball at both set piece and ruck to allow the backs to move the ball better around the field in time-honoured Campion tradition.

Their immediate reward was a try by fast-moving wing Larby following a quick tap penalty and a sweeping cross-field move that stretched the Canadians’ defence and exposed the gap that Larby exploited. Hibberd at fly-half started to control the game, kicking well for field position and encouraging the back line outside him with some quick and long passes. Just after the quarter-time drinks break (necessary in the exhausting heat) a long missed pass opened the way on the left, and a neat inside pass sent Lockwood through on a razor-sharp diagonal run.

His try allowed Hibberd to convert, and from 12-3 the Campion pack started to assert an overall control that gradually wore down their less-experienced opponents. Rech made a good run down the left, leading to a period of forward dominance in the St Albert 22, broken up after lengthy injury treatment for a St Albert player. The forwards drove on though, and it was from a successful drive that Murrell broke through the defence to touch down and give Campion a 17-3 half-time lead. 

The St Albert side came out for the second half determined to get back into the game, and the Campion defence, both forwards and backs, had to have their wits about them to fend off some spirited attacks. A good 22 drop-out was followed by two penalties awarded to the Essex team, and the possession and improvement in field position allowed Campion to launch their own attack. The more polished finishing of the well-prepared visitors was again evident as a swift move left with precise passing opened the way for Bion to dart through the defence and score. An accomplished Buchan conversion made the score 24-3 at the drinks break, and the St Albert spirit was reduced from then on, although they continued to mount a physically strong attack whenever possible.

Shortly after the restart Bion again broke through the St Albert line to score, and the most spectacular moment of the match occurred when Larbey caught Buchan’s cross-field kick at full sprint and raced away for a try that Buchan again converted well. Even the yellow-carding of an Essex villain came too late to allow the St Albert side back into the game, and a final score of 36-3 reflected the deeper experience of the visiting Campion team.

Their forwards had striven mightily to cope with a lively and strong home pack before developing good-quality ball for the backs to exploit, and the speed and precision of the back line at its best stretched the St Albert defence.

A great winning start for the 2nd XV, whose ambition should now be an unbeaten tour, if they can cope with the effects of the heat. 

calgary

Neither the awesome beauty of their long southward journey through the Canadian Rockies, nor a growing injury list, could distract the Campion School party from the task in hand at Calgary Irish Old Boys club on Thursday evening.

Two powerful performances brought them wins against spirited opponents who lacked the years of intensive coaching of their English rivals. Perhaps it brought home to the Essex youngsters just how much they have learned in their six or seven years at the Jesuit-founded school.

They showed polish and efficiency in their play, and moved the ball excellently around the field to create the spaces for their quick backs. 

The after-match celebrations were notable for an in-tune rendition of Blake’s “ Jerusalem” (better than the singing on coach!), and for DV’s unique dance!

Richard Cleveland celebrated his eighteenth with a cake (lasted 1min. 52 secs.!) The whole party has moved on to Kelowna, and heads off for Williams Lake tomorrow, after an afternoon on the lake. More from there… 

1st XV: Calgary hornets

FINAL SCORE: 80-0 (w)

MATCH REPORT

The sun was again beating down as the 1 st XV started their fixture against Calgary Hornets. A slight reshuffling of the back line reflected the injury to Gavigan (stiff neck), and among the forwards Stembridge came back to the subs’ bench as Luke Andrew continued treatment for a shoulder injury.

The Campion boys soon settled, however, unlike their first match at St Albert, and their big forwards immediately imposed themselves on their less experienced rivals, creating good ball for their fast-moving backs to take wide. Mersh was prominent with some forceful early runs, as was Canny, ever-ready to take the contest to the opposition whether with the ball or in defence and continuing the level of performance that made him man-of-the-match at St Albert. The front row of Davis, Shanahan and Manning took the early scrums and disrupted the Calgary props determinedly. 

The vocal support of the many Campion travellers who had joined the Party was rewarded immediately from the kick-off with a try by Sharp and a drop-kick conversion by McKie (the Campion bench were still looking for the kicking-tee!). Again the Campion forwards pushed up field, and a sweeping move to the left created space for Sharp to dart through a second time. McKie converted from wide out.

The Campion dominance continued with further tries from Vincent, jinking through on the right (McKie’s conversion cleared the fence and landed on the Highway outside the ground), and Sharp again, this time the try created by McKie’s excellent play, and McKie again converted. So rapid a Campion lead made the Calgary task well-nigh impossible to stop their rampant opponents, and an injury to one of their squad left them depleted. Davis took advantage of this from a forward drive to score on the right, McKie for once failing with the conversion, and Webber crossed the line after excellent work by Canny, and Mckie converted. Then in rapid succession tries by Bolger, Webber, Sharp and Vincent, all converted by McKie, crushed the Canadians’ defences and brought an astonishing 73-0 lead at half-time.

The Campion backs were indeed the big scorers, but the spaces and opportunities had come from their forwards’ hard work in the heat, and Gash and Bolger had supplied the line efficiently and unselfishly. 

The start of the second half was more subdued, and Calgary pushed forward into the Campion 22. But their period of pressure came to naught when they gifted Vincent an interception, and he outsprinted the Calgary defence to score under the posts for another McKie conversion.

There was time to see a great catch by Canny from the drop-out, and some final exchanges before the referee rightly brought the game to an end. 80-0 indicates the difference in coaching, preparation and commitment that the Campion team has had over seven years, and is a credit to them and their coaches. 

2nd XV: Calgary Irish Old Boys 

FINAL SCORE: 33-0 (w)

MATCH REPORT

The second team played a reduced time game in order to bring the day’s play to an end, kicking off as late as 7.40. But they matched their first team by imposing themselves early through a Phimister try, coming in from the left to allow Buchan to convert with a drop-kick for a 7-0 lead. There followed a period of close play, with a promising run by McEvoy coming to nothing, a dropped pass conceding possession. 

The forwards pressed on their Calgary opponents, and there was good close play as they again advanced downfield. Callaghan and J Jones were prominent in this period of play, and it was Jones who finished a strong forward drive with an unconverted try. A good long kick by Buchan took Campion into their opponents 22 again, but a penalty allowed the Irish to repel the attack. Then a strong run by Buchan brought Campion a 5 metre scrum, and a quick movement right brought a try by Rech that Buchan converted. Even the intervention of a hare in their opponents’ 22, and the necessary introduction of uncontested scrums following a Calgary injury, did not distract the Essex team, and they completed the half with a fourth try as McEvoy switched the angle of attack to open the way for Phimister to score again. Buchan’s conversion was excellent for a 26-0 interval lead. 

Calgary opened the second period with good pressure from the dropout, but the Campion defence  repelled their attacks with determined tackling. Rech led a breakout that created an excellent position, but a dropped pass down the line lost the excellent opportunity that had been created. A rare Campion penalty allowed another great passing move but the resulting try was disallowed, and another good move and promising position came to nothing because of a dropped pass. Eventually the Irish line was opened out by an excellent run by Tucker, and McEvoy saw the diagonal needed for a good try which he himself converted. Our Essex villain then showed great restraint when  penalised  unjustly. In the final phases of the match a number of good moves were wasted through careless passes or receptions, but by then Campion had established the dominance reflected in the final score of 33-0. 

A powerful performance by the pack, particularly Callaghan, Bisset-Johnson, Jones (in his debut at hooker) and Tucker created time and space for the backs: against more experienced opponents more chances will need to be converted into points. 

williams lake

WA day's activities at the lakeside, laid on by their generous hosts in this lake-jewelled region, could not tire the Campion troupe out sufficiently to spare the Williams Lake teams from the relentless fitness and speed of the Essex boys in their two games.

Both teams scored decisive victories, but it was the manner of them that thrilled the watching crowd.

The forwards faced up to the enormous physical challenge of British Columbia rugby, won and turned the ball over often, and gave their fast-passing and even faster-running backs the opportunity to dazzle both opponents and spectators with a series of runs, sidesteps, switches of direction and sheer sprinting that brought an avalanche of memorable tries. 

Our thanks should be recorded to the members of Williams Lake Rustlers Rugby Club for their hospitality, including the whole pig roast, two sides of beef and salmon - delicious, amazing and awesome! 

1st XV: Williams Lake Rustlers U19's 

FINAL SCORE: 102-0 (W)

Match Report

he day was almost at its hottest, perhaps25 Centigrade, as the 1st team game began against a bigger and older opposition. It took the Campion team a few minutes to come to terms with the strength and intensity of the early Williams Lake play, but once they had done so their greater fitness and preparedness prevailed, and the speed and versatility of the Campion backs bedazzled everyone in a second half of astonishing scoring. 

Williams Lake took the wind for the first half, and the long kicking of their specialist was an early feature of the game, giving them territory and control. Webber relieved this with a good run, and then Canny's forceful driving took Campion forward. Stembridge set up a good position and a poor defensive kick gave Webber the space to let Larbey in for the first try after eight minutes. A period of fierce competition followed this score, but a Campion turnover in centre-field allowed them to make an advance leftwards with a missed pass, and Sharpe made a good run and inside pass to Vincent to send him over with a speedy run for a try converted by McKie. Webber made a good clearance but Gash's second offside offence (something he'll have to watch in the forthcoming game against British Columbia) allowed the Williams Lake team to pressurise the Essex boys' 22, until another turnover relieved the pressure. On eighteen minutes a great move left by Vincent opened the way for a Stembridge run, and the defence was opened up to allow Bolger to score. McKie's kick from way out went over off the post for a 19-0 lead, and that was perhaps the decisive moment as the Lake team's fitness started to wilt in comparison to their counterparts who seemed full of running throughout - a real tribute to the coaching team led by Chris Jones. From then on the Campion forwards matched the physical challenge of the Lake, and turned the ball over regularly with their skill in the tackle and the ruck. In the 21st minute a great run by Sharp, whose speed throughout was a threat, and quick hands by Vincent sent Cook in for a try, and seven minutes later a quick pass by Gash gave Vincent space to beat two men and cross the line for a try that McKie converted. Two conceded penalties opened the way for a possible Lakes score but the drop-kick penalty went narrowly wide. A 31-0 score at half-time reflected the sharper awareness of the British team, and their matching up to the physical onslaught from the strong Lake lads. 

An opportunist try by Cook in the first minute of the second half, when the Williams Lake  defence  failed to clear from the kick-off and the ball went loose in the in-goal area, set the Lake back on their heels and opened the way for a half of record scoring. Walshe converted the try and seven more, and three went unconverted as the Campion backs ran riot, surging through an increasingly exhausted  defence.

The score finished no less than 102-0, and the try scorers were: Cook (put in by good work by Canny and Vincent); Canny (after an outstanding run by Stembridge whose speed and weight dominated the second half); Sharp twice with mazy and speedy runs; Vincent (put into a potentially good position by Henshaw and Carter but taking on the defence and outsprinting them); Webber twice (one after good work by the pack, sucking in defenders and leaving the backs with a 3-1 overlap, and one running the length of the pitch to score a great solo try); Gavigan (on as substitute after an injury and crowning good team work on the right); Mersh, taking an inside pass from Sharp to score; and Stembridge, storming through after good work by McEvoy, again on as substitute. 

71 points in a half of just thirty minutes was an astonishing feat against a team that did not give up. It again demonstrated the high degree of preparation of the Essex team, and the intensity of their running once the forwards had done their work. The only cloud on the horizon is the growing injury list, including Davis, Andrew, and an Essex villain. It will be hard to pick two full teams against Chilliwack, and there may have to be some doubling upon the bench. 

2nd XV: Williams Lake Rustlers U18's 

FINAL SCORE: 36-0 (w)

MATCH REPORT

Early morning cloud had receded into a cloudless day as the Second Team kicked off. The Williams Lake ground is on cleared land in the pine forest, and the beauty of the setting must have inspired the Campion team, who put on their best display of the tour. Their domination of the scoring began quite early. An excellent blind side move led to a penalty, and the line out moved Campion near to the Williams Lake line. A heel against the head surprised the physically strong Lake boys, and Hibberd broke away at scrum-half, passed to McEvoy playing Number 10, and he set up Swallow to score a well-executed try. The Campion pack's well-rehearsed routines at line-out particularly caught the eye, Phimister for example catching well and allowing McEvoy to kick for a controlling position. The combination of forwards and backs moved the ball cross-field several times, eventually opening the way for winger Crisp to cross the line for a second unconverted score. The game became more error-strewn around the quarter point, but Williams Lake were finding it hard to move the ball consistently away from their 22 as a well-drilled defence often put them on the back foot. Clearance kicks were returned by surging runs, even if the final pass might go astray.

Eventually Manning made a forceful ru and good handling allowed Phimister to score a try which McEvoy converted. A half-time score of 17-0 reflected the good organisation and preparation of the Campion team, and their capable defence against the physical threat of the BC boys, with rarely a first tackle missed and always with cover around. 

The early exchanges in the second half were mixed, but again it was the quick-thinking Essex team that achieved an early score to reassert themselves. Good work by Frost and the forwards created good position, and a move first right and then left allowed Cleveland to score an unconverted try. The Lake team threatened down their left, but Kieran Jones produced a stunning move-arresting tackle. A period of considerable pressure on the Lake defence then ensued, and eventually they capitulated to a Frost try which McEvoy converted excellently. Immediately afterwards the Campion team produced a good move down the left and Joe Jones broke through for a try which McEvoy again converted with aplomb. This had been a period of dominant play by Campion, with forwards and backs working in good unison, but again around the mid-point play became scrappy as the heat induced more errors. The Campion team conceded two heels against the head in this period, perhaps as injuries disrupted their line-up.

Once again, though, it was the Essex team that prevailed as Benny cleared up a loose ball and ran forward when the Lake team were threatening to break out. There was a strong physical challenge continuing from the British Columbians, and on several occasions it took brave tackling by the British defence to hold them. Phimister and Tucker dominated the line-out and disrupted the Lake boys throughout, and this restricted their possession and control massively.

The game finished 36-0 to Campion, and reflected the thorough grounding of this emerging team that was capably captained by Callaghan, who restricted his advice to the referee to one short outburst. 

chilliwack 

A serious injury to Liam McEvoy marred the Campion Touring Party's day at Stevenson Stadium on Thursday. He broke his arm when tackled near the touchline making a good run forward.

The hospital will be operating on him on Friday afternoon, and our thoughts and prayers are with him at the moment.

Despite the injuries, though, the full squad are white-water rafting on the River Chilliwack this Friday morning, but still thinking of their team-mate back in Chilliwack. Prayers were said this morning for him to come through the operation fully successfully and rejoin us soon. 

1st XV: Chilliwack U20's

FINAL SCORE: cancelled

MATCH REPORT

the 1st XV fixture was cancelled when the Chilliwack Under 20s turned out to be too old for a valid competition against the Campion boys.

Coach Chris Jones abandoned the match, a decision supported by the entire party in the light of the one serious accident that had already occurred. 

2ND xv: Chilliwack U18's

FINAL SCORE: 71-0 (w)

MATCH REPORT

The game opened in a temperature of 24 degrees Centigrade and under a cloudless sky. The British Columbians were clearly out for a physical game, having heard reports of the skilful running and passing of the English team. The early exchanges were equal, until Walsh at full back got the ball in his hands and went on a powerful run to score following a leftward move that had opened the way. He converted his own try. Despite the absence of Callaghan, the scrum produced some mighty pushes that disrupted the Chilliwack team, and only some Campion unforced errors prevented them  capitalising on some good positions. When Chilliwack threatened, Walsh produced a great clearance and follow-up, despite being constrained by a sore shoulder. And in the seventeenth minute Walsh came into the line to pass to Hibbert, playing on the wing to limit further damage to his sore finger-ends, and he scored a good try swerving past several defenders. Again Walsh converted. McEvoy's injury came three minutes later and led to a 45 minute delay while an ambulance arrived to  stabilise  his arm before despatch to the local hospital. His outstanding play at scrum-half and fly-half had been one of the features of the tour, and will be sorely missed on Saturday. The shock ran through the whole party on the line, and made the remainder of the day very subdued. 

Five minutes after the restart Walsh made another good intervention following a weak BC kick, and set Bion up to cross the line, while Walsh followed up with a great conversion. The next nine minutes saw two unconverted tries that took the whole game away from Chilliwack. First a long kick by Buchan into the Chilliwack right field allowed the pack to make an excellent drive forward, from which Davis crossed the line. Then Joe Jones did likewise, again following a good drive by the forwards. It was probably the front eight who had done more to create the half-time position of 31-0, dominating both the loose and the set-piece scrums. An Essex villain had helped to run the line, a clear case of poacher turned gamekeeper, if ever there was one! 

Some tactical changes to the line-up were made at half-time, but Campion continued to dominate. Rech almost scored in the opening minutes of the half but was forced into touch, and the next score came in the seventh minute when Buchan produced a strong run to cross the line, a try which he himself converted. A second Essex villain did receive a yellow card, but it failed to halt the progress of the Campion team. Buchan produced a good clearance to help the Campion side to advance, and Joe Jones broke away from a scrum to score. Buchan converted the try. In the final quarter of the match Crisp started to dominate the running from the back, and when a long move forward brought Campion a penalty close in some quick and efficient passing from the ruck allowed Buchan to set Cleveland free to cross for a try which Buchan converted from the line, an excellent kick. In the closing minutes a good Campion move stretched the defensive line and Rech crossed for the try that he had threatened since coming on. Buchan drop-kicked the conversion. And at the close Benny scored a well-deserved try after the backs had again produced good work.

Buchan converted for a final score of 71-0, forty points being scored in the half. 

Once again the forwards had prepared the way for the backs to exploit spaces later in the game, and the unbeaten run of the second team continued. But injuries are now even more constraining both team selection and rotation.

vancouver

The two games played at Capilona Stadium in West Vancouver were the stiffest challenge faced by the Campion boys on their tour. The 1st XV took on the Provincial First Team, selected from all over British Columbia, and triumphed against a strong and forceful team, older than them, through sheer hard work, commitment and camaraderie.

The 2nd team found the BC second team a daunting prospect - older, bigger and fresher, because the Seconds were playing their third game in five days. Although they lost, their effort, play and willingness to fight in the face of difficulties all hold out great prospects for the season to come. 

The Capilona Stadium is situated just across the bridges out of the North of Vancouver. A well-grassed but very firm pitch provided the context for two thrilling games, played in great heat as the temperatures advanced from 23C to 28C in the course of the afternoon. 

Saturday night in Vancouver was capped by an amazing waterfront fireworks display. Three hundred thousand people flocked to English Bay Beach for the event, and the Campion squad were there, rightly celebrating their achievements. They go on to Vancouver Island, and for many of them their final game in Campion colours. An emotional moment, no doubt, for these winning tourists. 

1st XV: British Columbia Province U18s 

FINAL SCORE: 22-15 (w)

match report

The 1st XV kicked off with close to a full squad available, although some were nursing injuries. They started to impose their open style of play from the off, but small errors cost them possession and territory and the BC players were very quick to the points of breakdown. On five minutes Campion conceded a penalty in a maul, and that advanced BC to the Campion 22, where a quickly taken BC free kick allowed the Canadians to cross the Campion first team line for the first time on tour. The BC kicker converted the try for a 7-0 lead, and so early a setback might have disappointed the Essex schoolboys.

Instead, though, they faced up to the spirited and physical challenge of the provincial select team, and a good forward drive took them forward from the restart. A Campion penalty won them good position, and the forwards made a second excellent drive, demonstrating the extent of their preparation and commitment, and Stembridge broke through for an excellent try in response. Eleven minutes gone a d 5-7 the score, the game was very equally poised. It remained that way for the next twenty-six minutes of thrillingly contested rugby. Both teams had to remain resolute in defence as their opponents almost broke through, Vincent for example almost getting through the BC line in midfield, and Gavigan making a good return to a clearance before the ball was lost. McKie had to make a tremendous tackle to prevent the BC wing from scoring, and Bolger, Stembridge (with another two great runs), Canny and Hanshaw were prominent in repelling the BC runners and driving Campion back forward. Beyond the thirty minute mark good work by Sharp, whose speed was more nullified by the BC backs than in previous games, and then a Webber grubber kick took Campion forward to the BC 22 where a great piece of combined play forced BC to concede a penalty. McKie converted the kick to give Campion an 8-7 interval lead, after a half in which they had found the BC defence by a long way more resistant than any other back-line encountered on tour. BC had dominated the scrummages, and Campion the line-outs, no doubt reflecting the two teams' contrasting strengths. An injury to Gavigan in the dying minutes of a very long half (43minutes!) saw him replaced by Walshe. 

The second half opened with British Columbian pressure on Campion, and they were rewarded with a successful penalty. Another good Stembride run came to nothing as BC won a turnover, and Campion dropped the ball after a good run by Vincent. Andrew had replaced Miller when a good Campion drive was rewarded: Vincent forced and found his way past three defenders to score, showing amazing upper body strength, and a McKie conversion gave Campion a 15-10 lead. BC came close to an immediate equaliser but they dropped the ball near the Campion line and McKie on twenty minutes was able to clear the ball upfield. In the twenty-third minute of the half came the game's decisive moment, when Stembridge picked up a loose ball and set off on a long run. The defenders all looked as if they'd prefer not to be the one to tackle him, and he stormed through and past several tackles to score a brilliant try and give Campion a 20-10 lead that McKie immediately increased with the conversion. Campion kept up the pressure with Canny to the fore in taking the ball forward, but on the twenty-fifth minute BC charged down a Campion kick in centre field and took advantage of the loose ball to score an unconverted try in the left corner. The Campion restart went straight out, an example of the errors that creep in the sapping heat, but the Campion team finished strongly, putting on more pressure in the BC 22 in the closing minutes, and allaying any of their supporters' anxieties in the process. 

Shortly afterwards the final whistle confirmed this outstanding victory for the Hornchurch school, for many of the older students their finest achievement in school rugby, and another great feather in the cap of the English boys.

The front five had strongly resisted the full force of the BC scrum, Bisset-Johnson, Shanahan and Mersh holding firm and maintaining their ball, and the lock-forwards Cook, Miller and Andrew working hard in the line-out and loose to win the ball. The Campion breakaway forwards were probably the real difference between the teams, Hanshaw's nimble skills complementing the strength and power of Stembridge and Canny. Gash supplied the line reliably and Bolger made good decisions at fly-half. The speedy Campion backs' pace was more nullified by the BC back-line than in previous games, not surprisingly when they were a select team. But Vincent, Mckie and Webber were resolute in defence, and Sharp, Gavigan and Walshe stopped BC down the lines.

For a school team to beat this provincial select team was an astonishing achievement, and one that will be long remembered. 

 2nd XV: British Columbia U18s (2nd XV) 

FINAL SCORE: 19-29 (L)

Match report

The temperature had risen to 28C at the kick-off, under a clear blue sky. Despite errors on both sides, BC were immediately prominent, and poor tackling by the Essex boys conceded ground and put them on the back foot, allowing their BC opponents to score an early try that was unconverted. There followed a lengthy period of BC pressure on the Campion team and right up to their line, but the Campion boys rallied, supplied Buchan with lots of good ball and his excellent long kicking from hand was responsible for Campion holding out.

The swift movement and running of the BC team kept Campion at full stretch, and when Campion did spoil the BC line-out and move upfield they conceded a penalty to lose the advantage. In the twenty-third minute they had again regained possession in the BC 22, and an excellent line-out (a strong feature of their play this tour) and drive by the forwards allowed Joe Jones to break away for a try from close (another regular feature of the tour). Buchan's conversion from wide out was excellent and gave Campion a 7-5 lead that they held to the interval. Bion replaced Benny in the back line, and two further long kicks by Buchan found touch and kept BC at bay. 

Campion started the second half in excellent form, looking as if they would win the match. A good long pass by Frost from a scrum allowed Buchan to put in a grubber kick that Bion picked up on the run and took through on a good diagonal to score an unconverted try. But Campion's lead was to prove short-lived, as the BC team from this point on took increasing command of the game, especially in stretching the Campion defence and finding space beyond the Campion back line. A BC turnover allowed a good left-to-right move for a well-converted equaliser at 12-12 in the fifth minute. Buchan was unfortunate with two penalty attempts, hitting the post with one, before BC pressure on the Campion defence opened the way for a blind side move that gave them a five point lead. And further pressure on the Campion team saw them concede another unconverted try on the far left despite the best attempts of their defence to cover.

Somehow the Campion team rallied and in the thirtieth minute had moved the play into the BC 22. Joe Jones seized on a loose ball from a line-out and ran through on an excellent diagonal to score an excellent try that Crisp converted from way out. At 19-22 Campion briefly had hope of snatching a victory that had seemed beyond them, but in the final minute BC scored another try in the left, and the conversion gave a final score of 19-29. 

It was no shame for the Campion 2nd team to lose in this game. The BC's coach was overheard at half-time expressing his amazement that a select squad could be being beaten by a school second team, and he was not aware that this was their third game in five days. The injuries to the Campion team, especially that to Liam McEvoy who was still in Chilliwack recovering from a big operation on his arm, had disrupted their line-up and their pattern of play. The front five - Seal, Isaac, Manning, Cleveland and Tucker - were heroic in matching up to their bigger and fresher opponents and winning the line-out contest, and Joe Jones, Carter and Phimister ran themselves to exhaustion in seeking the breakdown.

The Campion back line showed some inexperience at this level of competition, but will be all the better for the experience of competing at this level. Rech again looked powerful on the wing, and Buchan's kicking kept Campion in the game. Quicker passing and more judicious selection of lines of attack would have brought them even closer to an unlikely victory. 

Cowichan

The Campion tourists brought the playing side of their Canadian Tour to an end with two excellent victories against Vancouver Select Fifteens - The Tsunami - on a pleasant Summer evening at the Cowichan Rugby Stadium, set in a delightful country north of Victoria.

The patterns of previous matches were replayed here, with both Campion School sides coming under severe pressure from the physical challenge of the Islanders before their greater fitness and speed told in the later stages.

The 1st XV's speed from defensive and neutral positions particularly caught the eye, and the pace of both the backs and the breakaways was the main difference between the sides in their game.

The 2nd XV had to work particularly hard for their victory, playing their fourth game in seven days, and in the end it was their ability to convert chances by beating the defence in key positions that gave them the game. 

The full Campion touring squad - McEvoy had rejoined them during the 1st XV game after leaving Chilliwack and crossing on the ferry from Vancouver - joined in a rousing chorus of "Jerusalem", although they did start a bit too high to manage the top notes!

Their games over, their period of R & R had commenced. Now onward to Victoria, Vancouver, and finally Hornchurch. Congratulations to the Upper Sixth boys who have capped their seven years of development with some outstanding performances, and to the Lower Sixth, who have learned so much in the past two and a half weeks that they can put to further use in school.

And thanks to the staff and parents who have accompanied the tour, and to the Committee. A trip of a lifetime, indeed! Awesome, awesome, awesome! 

1st XV: Tsunami U18s 

final score: 57-0 (w)

match report

The 1st XV kicked off at 6.50 with a cooler temperature but still a sunlit ground. The Tsunami team contained several Canadian representative players, but that in no way awed the Essex youngsters whose spirit was shown in the very first minute when Webber went on a very long run to bring him a try that McKie converted. The opening exchanges were not one-sided, however, and Canny and other forwards had to work hard to repel the Tsunami attack, and one Mckie clearance was needed by Campion to move out of their own 22. There was a period of midfield play with many turnovers, and Shanahan was then unfortunate to be yellow-carded for raking, when in English play he would not even have been penalised. It seems absurd for an experienced official to use the card instantly when different national interpretations are at play.   

In the seventeenth minute came one of the most spectacular tries of the whole tour. Vincent seized on a loose ball and destroyed the whole Tsunami defence, running three different diagonals as he completely bewitched them, and scoring from the half-way line for McKie to convert. The ability to convert half or even quarter chances was again evident in the twenty-third minute. The forwards combined well to drive forward, and Stembridge stormed over. He again looked the most formidable of opponents when running forward with the ball in hand, almost daring any opponents to challenge him, and sucking in players when he was brought down. Straight from the restart he again smashed his way through the defence and set Hanshaw away to score and bring an interval lead of 24-0. In the final minute of the half Canny became the fourth Essex villain when he too was unfortunate to be yellow-carded after resisting an opponent's attempt to drive him straight into the grandstand when he forced him into touch. The official resisted all the sideline promptings to be even-handed in the matter. 

The second half commenced as the first one had, with an excellent try by Webber. This time a great forward drive created good ball that came swiftly to the Campion back line, where a long missed pass created the space for Webber to exploit. Walshe converted the try. And two minutes later Webber scored a fantastic individual try, thrilling the crowd by running through and past the Tsunami backs and outpacing them to the line, allowing Walshe an easy conversion. 38-0 and just three minutes of the game gone, Campion entered cruise mode and laid on some exhibition rugby for the next twenty minutes. First Vincent denied The Tsunami with a try-stopping tackle by the touchline, and three minutes later he scored an outstanding try dummying his way into a gap and accelerating away, almost ghost-like in his ability to defy the tacklers to lay a hand on him. Five, minutes later he repeated the act from way out, feinting and selling dummies as he spirited his way through the defence. Walshe again converted. On sixteen minutes Stembridge went on another of his powerful runs, knocking defenders aside, until the last tackler managed to hit the ball out of his hands.

Four minutes later a great combination of forwards and backs gave Sharp the room to run inside for a try, and Walshe again converted for a final score of 57-0.

A period of silly niggling and handbaggy stuff encouraged the official to bring the match to a slightly premature end. 

2nd XV: Tsunami U16s 

final SCore: 29-10 (W)

match Report

The Second XV went first this time, and the opening quarter was a close match with both sides making errors and unable to capitalise on promising positions. Carter made a spectacular, and perhaps unexpected, clearance from the Campion 22 in the third minute, and Bion had to touch down a forward kick from the Tsunami backs into the in-goal area. Callaghan, despite injury, was prominent in leading the forwards and in giving the official a little advice also. The Campion line-out looked efficient, but the scrum could do little against the "Rugby-League" style feeding of the Tsunami Number Ten. The watching spectators found a few of the decisions puzzling, and the penalty count was racking up against the English team. Finally Gavigan created some space with some good footwork, and the ball was moved speedily for Bion to cross the line on the wide right in the 24th minute. Crisp's good effort to convert just fell short. In the 28th minute Campion again exerted intense pressure on the Tsunami 22 and goal-line, and finally Gavigan capped his last game in school colours with a try. The unfortunate Crisp this time hit the crossbar from wide out with his attempted conversion. The 10-0 scoreline reflected the play, with Campion more likely to press any advantage home, and the Tsunami never quite breaking the Campion defensive line. 

The Campion team rang the changes tactically at half-time, and the changes in personnel took a little time to settle. The Tsunami took advantage of this and of a few favourable decisions to gain ground, and the final penalty allowed them to open their scoring with a kick from the edge of the 22 in the second minute of the half. There followed a period of play that seemed to bewilder both players and spectators, with more whistling than open play, before Campion again moved forward to the Tsunami 22. Frost took a quick tap penalty and moved to the short side, on the right, and fed Carter who crossed for a try, again unconverted. Then The Tsunami came back into the game, and a series of penalty calls against the Hornchurch school brought pressure in the Campion 22. Finally the Tsunami scored a try that was well converted and that brought them back into the game at the three-quarter point. On twenty-seven minutes there was a lengthy delay for treatment to Phimister for a neck injury, and Campion were under pressure for a while but held the Tsunami attacks out. Then they again moved forward to the Vancouver 22, and an excellent move from a well-controlled scrum ended in a Lockwood try that relieved the pressure, especially when Buchan converted well. There was still time for a further excellent try by Benney, taking advantage of another quickly-taken penalty and a good movement through Carter and Bion. Again Buchan converted well. The final minutes saw the Tsunami camped out in the Campion 22, where a series of penalties gave them lots of possession that they could not convert to points.

Final score: 29-10 to Campion. 

The Campion team did really well to inject pace and commitment to the second half after so exhausting a schedule of playing and travelling, and to deal with the differing interpretations of the official. Their defence held out well against the Tsunami attacks, and when they reduced their own error-rate they were able to move upfield and convert their advantage well. The front five play of Seal, Isaac, Manning, Callaghan, Kieran Jones, Cleveland and Tucker formed the basis of the victory with a solid performance, and the breakaway forwards Jones, Carter and Phimister were ever-ready to take the combat to the select team from the island. Hibbert, Frost and Crisp made good decisions in feeding the backs, and the pace and power of the likes of Callaghan, Lockwood, Bion, Rech, Swallow and Benney were finally decisive when they performed efficiently with the ball. Buchan's kicking was again strong and added valuable points in the second half.