This half term Sevenoaks School took a squad of 19 players from Year 10 to Biarritz for a Rugby tour, 20-24 October.

Although the school has toured Biarritz on many occasions over the last six years, this was the first time a Year 10 tour took place during the October half term. The aim of the tour was to keep the boys playing throughout what can be a long break way from match play, bring new players together, experience different styles of play, cultures, take part in team building skills and develop individual/team play.

The squad was made up of a mixture of players from all Year 10 teams and as soon as they met together early on the Wednesday morning they began to work well as a touring team. The five days were jam-packed with rugby sessions, three matches, high-wire climbing, surfing and going to watch a top 14 match between Biarritz and Clermont. During the rugby sessions the players were lucky to experience the top quality coaching of Nigel Osbourne (ex Leinster Centre).

The players worked really hard in the sessions and they really developed well both individually and as a squad. This was evident in the matches were you could see the players had taken on what they had been through in the sessions and put them into practice on the match days. The team played three matches in total, only winning one, but if not caught cold straight off the plane, they could have had a winning tour! The whole team improved and showed some great character as well as team spirit, which resulted in a win on the last game of the trip. A total of seven tries were scored, through great team play and support as well as some great solo efforts to touch down.

As well as working hard at their rugby the boys had some great fun times playing various games and in particular taking part in the high-wire experience ( no names to be given but some legs were shaking!) and the surfing on one of Biarritz’s nicest beaches.

Overall it was a great trip and I am sure that the team spirit which developed so successfully and the individual and team skills that developed will be taken into the next half of the season and help us to some great victories leading up to Christmas. Well done to all the boys!