South America Rugby Tour Diary
Tour draws to a close
The two and a half week tour of Chile and Argentina ended on a high note as the U16s and 1st XV both claimed victories in their final two matches against one of the strongest schools in Chile, The Grange School. The setting was unbelieveable (pictured) with the match being played at the Old Grangonians Rugby Club, which was perched on a mountain side, with Santiago below and the magnificent Andes as a back drop.
The U16s match was a tight affair for much of the first half. The Grange forwards were tough and competitive but a driving maul from 10 metres out broke the deadlock as captain, Andrew Harbourne, crashed over. Liam Hill added a penalty to make it 8-0 at half time. Arnold dominated possession in the second half but found the stubborn Chilean defence hard to break down. However, a fine backrow move saw Chris Withers, Tom Horam and Freddie Priestley combine to send Tom Andrew over in the corner with Liam Hill’s outstanding boot adding the extras.
Horam drove over to extend the lead and then Julian Richardson scored the try of the match as Josh Beaumont and Sam Cole ran the ball from their own try line to send the live-wire winger on a superb kick and chase from 80 metres. The U16s eventually ran out winners, 27-0.
The 1st XV continued their outstanding form as they scored another half century, winning 52-0. David Reed was impeccable at 10 and some nice handling skills were displayed by John Embelton and Lee Ashworth early on. Lee Ashworth scored a lovely try which was soon followed by one from the pacey Edward Cam. Man of the match, Spencer Brennand, and Adam Parkinson were also first half scorers as Arnold built up a commanding lead. Second half tries were scored by Adam Jackson, Adam Roberts and Jack Mercer. These two wins meant that Arnold had now won 9 out of their 10 matches on tour in South America.
Before the match the boys were unaware of some of the history of the Old Grangonians Rugby Club but in an excellent after match speech, their President spoke of the 1972 tragedy when a Uruguayan rugby team crashed in the Andes on their way to play Old Grangonians. The two teams, Old Christians and Old Grangonians, now play an annual fixture in remembrance and in the Old Grangonian clubhouse is a photo of one of the survivors who walked out of the Andes and a painting done by another survivor which was presented to the Old Grangonians club.
Wednesday 25th July
A long day's skiing was enjoyed by everyone in the magnificent surroundings of the Andes.
Both squads are now preparing themselves for their two remaining matches against the Grange School, widely recognised as one of the best two schools in Chile.
Saturday 21st July
Having landed safely in Chile, the boys enjoyed a successful day white water rafting. All of the boys were counted in AND out of the water (!) before travelling onto Concepcion for two more matches.
A 2nd XV played a nail-biting encounter against the Wessex School. In the first wet conditions of the tour, things started extremely well when Tim Maguire finished off a sweeping move to score out wide. Wessex came back very strongly with their forwards and lively scrum-half causing the Arnold boys numerous problems. Arnold were temporarily reduced to 14 men towards the end of the first half and our hosts used this advantage to score a converted try to lead 7-5, until a very late Liam Hill penalty gave Mr McKeown´s side an 8-7 half time lead.
Despite some fierce exchanges in the second half, the score remained the same as Arnold dominated possession to hang on for another tight victory on tour.
The poor weather made the surface difficult to play on but this did not stop the 1st XV playing some fast, skillful and enterprising rugby to dominate St John´s School from the start. John Embelton crossed for the first of his tries and birthday boy, David Winterflood, celebrated his 18th in style with a memorable hat-trick (pictured below). Other notable performances were had by prop Jordan Senha, Peter Armstrong, David Reed and Sam Cole in a 65-0 win - their fourth straight win in South America.
Thursday 19th July
The tour stepped up a gear in terms of intensity as both teams travelled to the highly respected Cordoba Athletic Club who are thought of as one of the best rugby playing clubs in the whole of Argentina.
The U16s fought extremely hard and never stopped running but the Cordoba U17s were a fantastic side who combined both strength and physcial size with wonderful skills and awareness to deliver an Argentinian masterclass. They triumphed 52-0 but it was pleasing to see Peter Armstrong, Tom Horam and Tom Smurfwaite lead by example and the younger boys - Josh Beaumont, George Worthington, Henry Turner and Chris Withers - step up to the mark in fine style.
The U18 match against Cordoba´s U19s was a classic! Cordoba continued the early form of their U17s with a score after only 5 minutes but captain, Jack Mercer, replied well with a smartly taken tap penalty to score. David Reed added a penalty and Arnold led 8-5 at the break in a very bruising but skillful battle.
The Argentinian´s outstanding fullback, who would grace any North of England side back home with ease, scored a marvellous individual try but it was the visitors who then enjoyed some good possession with Richard Grindrod, Tyler Mattler and Spencer Brennand all superb in the loose. Adam Roberts was nearly put away after excellent handling by the young Sam Cole, John Embelton and David Winterflood but from the resulting lineout, Scott Jones stole the Cordoba ball to crash over from 5 metres.
Arnold held out to win another tense and close match, 13-10. Richard Grindrod was voted man of the match by our hosts.
Tuesday 17th July
After two magnificent days in Iguazu the boys have arrived safe and sound in Cordoba for their matches against the Cordoba Athletic Club.
The Iguazu Falls were truly stunning. The boys and staff enjoyed a fantastic speedboat ride directly into the waterfalls (!), with a spot of abseiling and zip-wiring the following day.
As has been the case throughout the trip, the boys' conduct has been extremely impressive, with even the less able linguists now speaking in Spanish.
Monday 16th July
Here is an email from someone who travelled with the boys for part of their journey.
Dear Mr Hughes,
My work partner and I ran into your pupils on route to South America at Heathrow airport and on arrival at Madrid as we shared a flight in that direction. When we hear so much that is bad about UK youth today we both felt we should contact you to say how well they conducted themselves and what a pleasure it was to observe the consideration they had for members of the public. This especially so as on a tour like the South America one, one might expect the team to have been a little wound up, but your boys did not let standards fall.
We wish your team the very best on its current adventure and as a Welshman it is not often, if ever, I wish English rugby teams well, although I note from the tour booklet the lads gave me that they are at least under the control of a fellow "Taff". We would be pleased if you would let all concerned know our views, positive praise is worth a ton of adverse comment.
Kindest regards
Name & address supplied
Saturday 14th July
Our boys continued their winning ways with two more fine wins in the Argentinian leg of their tour.
The U16s were hosted at the magnificent Club Newman which boasted stunning facilities and a pitch that would rival any Premiership ground and was regarded as the best pitch in Argentina. Newman were a well drilled side with a quick set of agile and elusive backs who ran the ball from all parts of the field. However, it was Arnold's forwards who made the first breakthrough with number 8, Tom Horam, scoring.
Newmans replied in fine fashion with their big but quick left winger scoring a stunning individual try under the posts to make it 7-5 to our hosts at half time.
With a slight wind at their backs in the second half it was the U16s who scored first as Tim Maguire followed up a clever chip and chase to win the race to the line to re-take the lead. Arnold now enjoyed a large amount of the possession and it was the boot of Liam Hill that further extended their lead as he knocked over a series of long range penalties, with his third from 40 yards.
The win was sealed with the try of the match as the exceptional Tom Horam picking from the scrum to draw two defenders before a skillful pass set the speedy Freddie Priestley into the corner for the try and a 34-12 victory.
The U18 match was equally competitive with the opposition displaying the traditional Argentine strength in the scrum. It was 0-0 for much of the first half. Centre, John Embelton, was strong in defence and back rower, Josh Bentley, was a tower of strength all over the park. However, it was Club San Martine who took the lead after some good driving play.
Arnold enjoyed more possession in the second half. Tyler Mattler and Scott Jones were particularly impressive in the tight exchanges and David Winterflood was coming more into the game out wide. David Reed pegged the home side back with a penalty which was then followed by a magnificent team try as Arnold spread the ball from side to side with John Embelton hitting a nice line to score untouched under the posts.
Adam Jackson added a second try minutes later and despite San Martine scoring with 5 minutes to go, Mr Jones's side held out for a fine 15-14 win.
Monday 9th July to Thursday 12th July
After a mammoth 38 hour journey the boys arrived in Buenos Aires in good spirits. Stuart Craig dazzled the various airports with his unique and skillful exihibition of the diablo (circus toy!?). After travelling through three time zones, which is four if you include Mr Bedford´s fondness for the 1960s, the boys were eager to play their first match.
The two squads were met by their hosts and international relations were quickly established. This included the Argentinian custom of greeting each other with a kiss on the cheek - even fellow males! Joe Blanthorn greeted the parents of his billet with enthusiasm setting the standard for the rest of the tour party.
The tour party was split into junior and senior squads for their two matches in a very upmarket area of the capital city - Saint Nicholas & Saint Charles.
Mr McKeown´s U16s played Saint Charles on a beautiful crisp, cold but sunny morning at Athletico Polo Club. The boys started brightly but it was our hosts who struck first blood on the tour with a well taken try from their dangerous free-running fly-half. 0-5!
A penalty was kicked to the corner with a catch and drive. Solid driving play from James Hodson led the way but Tom Horam was held short of the line. The alert Richard Wardell barrelled over from two yards for our first score in the South Hemisphere since 1996! 5-5. This advantage was soon doubled with Peter Armstrong darting over after good work by Alex Walkden and Maguire out wide. 10-5.
The U16s soon furthered their lead with young centre, Josh Beaumont, finishing off good team play after Daniel Preston and Tom Horam had taken it up the middle to draw a mass of Argentine defenders. Hill added the extras. 17-5. The Arnold forwards with their greater organisation were proving too strong a unit for their able hosts. Young Olly Bentley had shown some fine link play from the openside of the scrum.
After some more than inspirational words of wisdom from Messers McKeown, McIntyre and Evans, the Arnold boys went through the gears on the second half with the now dangerous and pacey backs picking gaps at will. Sam Cole ran the show with some subtle passes and expert kicks. Julian Richardson, Tim Maguire and Liam Hill all displayed pace in defence and attack as the Saint Charles backline were proving dangerous on the counter attack. A good second half saw Peter Armstrong complete a superb tour hat-trick (total rushing yards 8!). Replacements were made early in the second half with Freddie Preistley, Henry Turner, George Worthington, Josh Wilkes and Joe Blanthorn lending fresh legs to the efforts of Andrew Harbourne and his older charges.
The try of the day was finished off by Josh Beaumont after some free running and magical interplay by Priestley, Maguire, Hill and Smurfwaite created a huge gap for Josh to stroll in for his second under the posts. Hill added the final try with an 80 metre interception which he duly converted himself to complete a 46-5 victory and start the tour in style.
Special mention must be given to Chris Withers who replaced the fine Tom Andrew. The champagne moment saw ´Kip´ throw two outrageous dummies only to be cut short of the line by a superb last ditch cover tackle by the outstanding host number 13.
Forward of the match - a favoured Spartan, Richard Wardell, just edged Peter´s hat-trick and Horam´s intelligent play.
Back of the match - a tough one? Young Beaumers shined in the centre, Cole was Porto-like at 10 but Maguire´s all-round dazzling performance just takes the vote.
Relations were further cemented after the match with a splendid display of Tango Dancing by both our hosts and reluctant tourists.
The U18s were in equally devastating form, carrying on their impressive end of season form into the tour. Adam Parkinson scored three tries for the second Arnold hat-trick of the day and captain, Jack Mercer, and wing, David Winterflood, both bagged a braces. Other tries were scored by Tyler Mattler, Adam Jackson, Sam Matthews, Ed Cam, Ben Shelmerdine and Richard Grindrod. John Embelton and David Reed shared the kicking duties to complete an 85-0 win.
Their impressive form continued into the after match festivities with Jack Mercer leading some fine renditions of Jerusalem and Wonder Wall and Max Hampson having to sign autographs for the 11 and 12 year old spectators!
