Crypt Sports - Rugby Home (1st/2nd XV)

Wednesday 23rd November - Build Up

1^st XV and 2^nd XV Fixtures

Crypt v Sir Thomas Rich's

It's the match everyone's been waiting for, the big one. Who cares how we do in the cup, provided we beat Tommy's! Both the first and second teams are at home to the arch rivals, and two tough, physical and tight matches are in offing. Tommy's first team haven't had the best season so far, even losing to Newent - they'll be there for the taking, but as ever, they will up their game for this match. We will too, as both the first and second teams will be looking to simultaneously send the blue coats home in shame. Let's not take their result against Newent too lightly though, as they're in the fourth round of the DM Cup, thanks to a draw at Marling (same result as our first team against Marling).

Wednesday 16th November

1^st XV Fixture - Daily Mail Vase 1st Round

Crypt 38 - 14 Wyedean

In a feisty encounter, Crypt took on Castle School (from Thornbury) in the first round of this season's Daily Mail Vase competition. Hopes are high for a repeat of last years success when we reached the quarter finals of this national competition.

The first half of the match was one of the best performances for years, with 38 un-answered points being scored. The back-play was particularly impressive as some good running lines, coupled with pace, power and supporting runners combined to split the Castle defence on numerous occasions. The centre partnership was particularly exciting as Keenan and Crawshaw combined with sublime inter-play in a number of moves - it was not like watching England's static back-play!

The forwards were also putting in the effort and turnovers were plentiful. We were also privileged to see Matt Drury actually doing something for a change! (Albeit not where he should have been doing it!). The forwards also exerted their dominance through the use of a very effective rolling maul. They really set the tone of the game, providing the backs with quality ball.

In the second half it went down-hill as fatigue set in, and Castle School took full advantage by replying with 14 points of their own playing down the hill - one when a gap opened up in the Crypt defence and one from a charge-down.

Starting Line-up:

L Page, D Wixey, J Crawshaw, M Keenan, L Etheridge, C Drury, D Rudge, S Arinze, D Paget, E Cass, W Duckworth, M Drury, L Talbot, S Griffin, M Hill (Capt.)

Subs:

M Tudor, T Barnes, W Summerskill, M Talbot, J Tanner, S Griffiths, J Page

Wednesday 21st September

1^st XV Fixture

Crypt 14 - 14 Marling

2^nd XV Fixture

Crypt 5 - 17 Marling

Wednesday 3rd October

1^st XV Fixture - Daily Mail Cup 2nd Round

Crypt 0 - 51 Filton College

In a game that was always going to be very one-sided, Crypt put up a strong resistance, and only brute strength and pace were able to win the game for Filton. The score-line was very flattering for the away side who took over 15 minutes to get on the board. A flurry of points followed as the first half became one-sided. Filton were working simple overlaps as Crypt players became embroiled in a fierce forward battle, leaving space out wide.

The Crypt effort and commitment throughout the match was particularly evident throughout the second half as wave after wave of Filton attack was repulsed as Crypt kept them down to only two tries. In a game that should have been a match of New Zealand versus Romania proportions, spirit and doggedness kept the visitors contained but for a fifteen minute spell at the end of the first half. This was more remarkable given the team that took to the pitch, with a large number of usual first team players not selected, an assortment of bench and second team players stepped up to the mark and the effort from every member of the team was outstanding.

Starting Line-up:

T Thornton, L Swattridge, L Page, M Keenan, S Griffiths, C Drury, D Rudge, S Arinze, D Paget, E Cass, W Duckworth, M Drury, L Talbot, A Wilkins, M Hill (Capt.)

Subs:

???

Wednesday 28th September

2^nd XV Fixture

Chosen Hill 15 - 14 Crypt

In what was to prove an exceptionally close and tough match, Chosen Hill managed to take a 10-0 lead within the first five minutes. The Crypt team had been caught on the hop and were quickly over-powered around the fringes with Chosen playing down the slope with a gale force wind at their backs. Some Crypt dog crept in after the second try and the forwards rucked immensely with very good technique. The fringes were also looked after and the match somewhat stagnated around the half-way line - due to a phenomenal effort from the Crypt pack.

Come half-time, despite having 10 points on the board within five minutes, not to mention having all the conditions in their favour, the Chosen Hill side had been unable to add to their tally and the score remained 10-0. Considering our 2ndXV were up against what was essentially the vast majority of the Chosen 1stXV, the side had done well to keep the game as close as it was.

As the second half started up, Crypt played a much more tactical game than Chosen had, using the wind to full advantage. Early on a try was scored, and converted, making the score-line a more respectable 10-7. The Crypt tactics continued to work as we were camped in the Chosen 22 for much of the second half. With all the attacking impetus the defensive organisation was not as good as it had been in the first half, this was to prove costly. With less than 10 minutes to go, Griffiths came back on to finish off a lovely move involving the back row and the fly-half. Very shortly afterwards, he went off again, slightly injured. The lack of fringe defence was to be the deciding factor as the Chosen number 8 picked up at a ruck and ran straight through the gap that had been left with no guard men, he then ran the 30 metres to the line to score the winning try.

Despite turning up and playing the majority of the oppositions 1stXV, the team acquitted themselves well - especially at the break-downs where ball was won, turned over and secured time after time, and when it wasn't the play was slowed down allowing for defensive organisation. Yes, disappointment was rife, but we played well and enjoyed the match.

Starting Line-up:

T Thornton, D Wixey, L Page, S Griffiths (Capt.), M Tribe, C Drury, J Tanner, C Waters, D Paget, E Cass, P Brown, W Summerskill, L Talbot, A Wilkins, J Flounders

Subs:

S Arinze, A Stokes, J Connelly, P White, A Bishop, L Etheridge, K Barry

Wednesday 21st September

1^st XV Fixture - Daily Mail Cup 1st Round

Crypt 22 - 0 Wyedean

Following on from the thumping dished out to Churchdown, the 1st XV took on Wyedean in the Daily Mail Cup (a replay of the fixture from last year's Daily Mail Vase match). As had been expected, Wyedean brought a big, physical set of forwards who dominated the set-pieces, but Crypt's technical abilities showed through as they gained the upper hand in loose forward play.

This allowed the backs to play some open and expansive rugby which was enjoyed by the 'crowd' of fellow Cryptians. The back play was epitomised by incisive running from both starting centres (Keenan and Crawshaw) coupled with some good support play from the full-back and wings. Equally as entertaining was the defence put forward from the usual suspect (again Keenan). In fact, the most impressive aspect of the match was the team's defence which kept Wyedean to nil, even after a raft of substitutions.

The match was marred somewhat by a series of injuries, not too serious for the most part. The only concern is Matt Hill (captain) who, having had surgery after the Netherlands tour, may be out for a couple of weeks.

Next round: Filton College (i.e. Bristol Academy...)

Starting Line-up:

J Page, L Page, J Crawshaw, M Keenan, D Wixey, C Drury, D Rudge, M Tudor, T Barnes, E Cass, W Duckworth, M Drury, S Griffin, A Wilkins, M Hill (Capt.)

Subs:

C Waters, D Paget, W Summerskill, S Griffiths, L Etheridge, T Thornton, J Tanner

Wednesday 14th September

1^st XV Fixture

Churchdown 0 - 63 Crypt

As ever, the 1st XV started the season with a match away to Churchdown. In such a high scoring match, the ball nearly never left Crypt hands as the pack and backs dominated a one-sided game.

The team had played no rugby together except for training prior to the match, but the transition proved virtually seamless as the match was well and truly sealed before half-time. Good work from the forwards was rewarded as the backs had good ball to work with. Callum Drury in his first game at fly half for the 1st XV ran the game well and allowed both backs and forwards to work well off him.

Starting Line-up: