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Brendan Ferguson

School Captain's column

This year I have attempted to steer away from giving mere updates of student successes. On this occasion I have been drawn to discuss an incredible day in Scotch's sporting history, at least in my time at the school, and the subsequent emotion and spirit displayed by both competitors and spectators.

In assembly on Friday 10 August, I reminded the school of the importance of the ensuing Saturday's sporting fixture. Three Scotch 1st sporting teams were playing for premierships against their respective closest rivals and support from all boys was required to ensure success.

My day began at Scotch where the 1st Hockey team was playing the undefeated Carey for their third consecutive APS premiership. A win would mean Captain Richard Robson would retain the silverware while a draw would give Carey the title.

Well into the second half with no score on the board, things were beginning to look grim, before Will Mason and Tim Strapp scored two quick goals to seal the first success for the day in front of a sizeable and vocal crowd.

At this stage word of the Cross Country result filtered through from Geelong Grammar. Running against the undefeated Xavier for back to back premierships, the boys came home by the close margin of three points, with outstanding runs from Nick Miller, Andrew Krummins and Andrew Birch who all finished in the top ten. In fact six of Scotch's top eight runners recorded personal best times, giving them a gutsy victory despite their underdog status.

As I arrived at the rugby, I was again reminded that Brighton is in a different time zone and cursed my lack of a picnic lunch. Scotch was up against St Kevin's in the Grand Final who were pursuing their fourth consecutive premiership. While we were undefeated for the year and went into the game marginal favourites, an early converted try from St Kevin's put the pressure on our boys. In the second half Scotch began to get on top of their game and eventually,

Tom McColl crossed to give us an 8 - 7 lead. The last twenty-five minutes were pressure packed as neither team scored and eventually the final whistle blew, the cup being presented to captain Rob Westwood in front of a passionate Scotch crowd.

The turn out at both the rugby and the hockey was very impressive, just a week after half the school watched the 1st XVIII footballers pummel Melbourne Grammar at the MCG. At a time when senior students, including myself, have expressed grave concern for the level of spirit within the student body, it was refreshing to see the passionate barracking of many boys from a vast cross section of pupils. One of my biggest regrets at Scotch is that I have never had the experience of an APS premiership, so I congratulate all those boys who recently achieved that milestone. At the same time I congratulate the entire school for its support of sporting teams in recent weeks, and hope that this is a continuing trend after this special year, as Scotch lives up to its reputation as the loudest and proudest school in the APS.

Brendan Ferguson

Updated: Monday 24 June 2013