Scotch College

Scotch hosts the Victorian Schools’ Rugby Finals

Rugby comes to the Main Oval as Scotch hosts the Victorian Schools Rugby Championships.

WORDS: Mr Dylan Coleman – Teacher-in-charge of Rugby Photography: Andrew Murdoch

There has been only a handful of occasions when rugby posts have been erected upon Scotch’s Main Oval, but on Saturday 8 August 2009 the game of heaven once again took place on this hallowed turf, with Scotch hosting the Victorian Schools’ Rugby Championships for the first time in eight years.

Our groundsmen, headed by Mr Michael Smith, did a marvellous job in turning three of our sporting fields into top class rugby pitches. The weather also played a hand in making it a very successful day, delivering perfect playing conditions that were enjoyed by a large crowd which gathered to watch 15 schools play for 1st and 2nd division placements. 

The Scotch 1st XV defeated Xavier 39-0 to finish in 3rd place, but St. Kevin’s just overcame Scotch 2nd XV 17-14 to claim the 2nd team title. Melbourne Grammar, in the Division 1 final for the first time in 16 years could not manage to defeat St Kevin’s which took the trophy home for the third year in a row. The presentations were made by the Principal, Mr. Batty, and Mr. Bob Dalziel the patron of the VRU, each commenting on the way all the boys played with good sportsmanship and friendly rivalry, all being a credit to their schools.

Thanks must be given to the coaches, the parent auxiliaries for Rugby and Cadets which sustained everyone throughout the day and to Kate Paterson, Greg McMahon and Kevin Culliver for their tireless work in ensuring that this was a memorable event. GS