Scotch College

Scrum Club supports international rugby festival

There is plenty happening in rugby, at interstate, national and international levels.

Words: DYLAN COLEMAN • TEACHER-IN-CHARGE, RUGBY

Sixteen Scotch families billeted 41 boys from Tamagawa Academy, Japan, and Shore (Sydney Church of England Grammar School) during the second week of the July school holidays, as part of the international rugby carnival celebrating the 150th anniversary of Melbourne Grammar School.

Eight schools – four from Australia (Melbourne Grammar and Scotch from Victoria, Shore from New South Wales and The Hutchins School from Tasmania) and four from overseas (Tamagawa from Japan, Oundle School from the UK, St Thomas’s College from Sri Lanka and Christchurch Boys’ High from new Zealand), competed. Thirty-two Scotch players, from the 1sts, 2nds and Under 16s, participated and demonstrated the high standard of rugby at Scotch.

The first day of games was held on the Scotch Main Oval. Undeterred by bitter, wet weather, the Scrum Club supported the Scotch players, providing free sausages, cake and drinks to all tournament players. (Thank you, everyone!) Subsequent games were held on the Melbourne Grammar main oval.

Evening events included a superb ‘cultural evening’, with each team presenting a performance, and a traditional Aussie barbecue, hosted by the Fenton family.

On Friday night, over 450 people, including players and billeting families, attended the Victorian Rugby Union 2008 Heritage Dinner, held in conjunction with the Melbourne Grammar School International Rugby Tournament. Wallaby half-back Luke Burgess gave everyone an insight into his pathway to professionalism.

One player from each school was selected to receive the most valuable player award for the tournament: full-back Rob Goodwin was presented with the award for Scotch.

Scotch under 14 Tasmania tour

A squad of 25 boys including one year 9, 17 year 8s and seven year 7s, captained by Paris Dale with Charlie Lockwood as vice-captain, went to Launceston over the weekend of 11–13 July.

The squad was coached by two old boys, Peter Cooper and Luke Walker. They played two matches at Launceston Rugby Club against Northern Tasmania Combined Schools. Both games were won. The first was won 24 to 10, with two tries to Paul Vrazas, one each to Shawn Srivastav and Andy Boykett, and Paris Dale kicking two conversions.

In the second game, the match was sealed 21 to 15 with an injury time try to Tim Symon. Andy Boykett and Shawn Shrivastav also scored a try apiece, and Paris Dale kicked three conversions. Paul Vrazas was awarded the inaugural Colin Lim Medal by our hosts for the best and fairest Scotch player of the weekend.

The tour group was accompanied by Tim Fry as tour manager, John Flynn, and parents of nine of the boys.

Four Scotchies make Vic under 14 team

Four Scotch boys have been selected in the Victorian Schools Rugby Union under 14 team for 2008 – Tim Symon (year 8), Shaun Shrivastav (year 9), Paris Dale (year 8) and Anders Torcello (year 8). Three of the boys are members of the formidable Scotch under 14 team.

Scotchies shine at championships

Angus Hamilton was selected for the Division 1 Rugby Championships in Canberra to represent the Combined States (WA, Victoria, the Northern Territory, Tasmania and SA) in this under 18 national tournament.

In the second round, Combined States lost to Queensland 2 by two points, after missing a try conversion to tie the match at full-time. They defeated the favorites NSW 1 team by 13 to 10 during the third round, and played in the second final (third v fourth), but lost to NSW 2 by 50 points to 13.

Two weeks earlier, three Scotch players – Angus Hamilton, Pat Swan and Jack North – were members of the Victorian team which won the Charles Blunt Cup in the final of the Australian Division II Carnival, in Geelong.
GS