The Alleynian 703 2015

Pictured : This year’s 1st XI (left).

RUGBY

‘There is something special about running on a rugby pitch in black and blue’

TOM MARCHANT (YEAR 13)

W hen I joined Dulwich College in Year 7, it quickly became clear that Rugby played a huge role. I remember turning up to that first training session and being taken aback at the crowd of 100 boys vying for a team place. Along with the other new comers, I looked over at the far pitch where the already established boys from the Junior School A team were training and immediately it became my objective to make that team. Although I had played for a local club, Battersea Ironsides, since the age of 5, my primary school had never offered competitive sport. Therefore I was hugely proud to be called up to the A team in my second session and was honored to be selected amongst the best boys in the first game of the season. At that time, I had no idea how important that team of boys and the game would become to me. Throughout the Lower and Middle School, Rugby continued to be the perfect escape from work and exams and great way to round off the week. At 16, I was awarded my first captaincy role and that unbeaten season – apart from one loss in an away fixture – was a major high point in my Dulwich career. By then, we had begun to notice Rugby further up the school as the 1st XV had won the Daily Mail Trophy for the second time. Eager to add to this success, 1st XV training became our next target. Being involved in the 1st XV during Upper School and captaining the side in my last year is probably the most memorable part of my experience at Dulwich. The level was high: Dulwich was becoming known throughout the country as one of the best Rugby schools in England and we were very proud to say we contributed to this golden era for Dulwich Rugby, reaching four consecutive national cup finals at Twickenham and winning three. Any school can have a good bunch of top-quality players, but is the spirit of Dulwich Rugby that makes it so successful and so satisfying. With few, or sometimes no, academy players in the side, we managed to overcome huge oppositions, often scrapping it out in the last minutes of a match.

S uch is the success of Dulwich’s rugby side in recent years, you could have been forgiven for not having noticed the relative progress of the football team during that same time. But Mr Brammer and Mr Brown’s side have enjoyed a record-breaking season this year, reaching the semi-final of the National ISFA Cup for the first time in College history, while captain Cameron Kelly has broken the school goal- scoring record for a single season, surpassing the 23 previously set by Dave Mifsud and Anton Murphy. Both coaches were, however, keen to emphasise the team effort that has gone into making such a successful season, with trips to Leeds and Manchester on that historic cup run providing moments both on and off the pitch that will live long in the memory. In a team founded on the unflappable centre-back pairing of Will Anthony and James Redshaw – ably supported by consistently outstanding performances from goalkeeper Alfie Miller – full-backs Will Langley and Harley Harris were given free rein down the flanks, knowing that holding midfielders Ralph Marchant and Immanuel Tefera would provide reliable defensive cover. Behind the energetic front three of Tom Newman, Cameron Gleave and Antonio Hanna-Amodio, playmaker Cameron Kelly – who notched 24 goals in just 21 games – was the undoubted star of the show. En route to the ISFA semi-final, he scored in all but one round, so often proving to be the difference between Dulwich and their opponents. George Edmund, Takeoshi Isomura, Benet Parker, Charlie Sparkes and Joe Weisberg also featured prominently throughout the season. It was back in mid-September that the 1st XI eased into their cup campaign with a comfortable victory over Frensham Heights School. Goals from Kelly, Marchant, Hanna-Amodio, Newman as well as an own goal saw Dulwich to a resounding 5-0 win. The first of the overnight stays was to follow next, as the side made the trek up north to The Grammar School at Leeds. But the game was to go to penalties as goals from Cameron Kelly were twice cancelled out by Dulwich’s more physical opponents – the second equaliser coming just five minutes from time. Keeper Alfie Miller proved to be the

FOOTBALL

‘I had no idea how important that team of boys and the game would become to me’

BEN HIGLETT (YEAR 13)

hero of the hour, saving superbly from a Leeds spot-kick, as Dulwich converted each of theirs, handing them the win. A tense third-round win at home to Forest School demonstrated Dulwich’s ability to grind out wins when it really mattered. In blustery conditions, Cameron Kelly nodded home at the near post with just 15 minutes remaining to send the DC fans who had dared brave the freezing weather into raptures. And as cramp set in amongst several players, a late Forest onslaught was thwarted yet again by the commanding presence of Miller, who martialled his defenders superbly through the tense final minutes. Just two wins away from the final at MK Dons’ Stadium:MK, Dulwich had built up a head of steam ahead of their second journey north, this time to St Bede’s School in Manchester. Despite coming under some sustained heavy pressure, DC weathered the storm, and a second- half counter attack put Takeoshi Isomura through on goal with only the keeper to beat; it was a chance he did not waste. The home side weren’t finished there, however, and it took an inspired penalty save from Alfie Miller to ensure that Dulwich returned to South London in the knowledge that a home tie against rivals Hampton stood between them and a first ISFA Cup Final in Dulwich history. And so, after five months of relentless cup competition, the stage was set as hundreds of boys lined the touchline for the much-anticipated visit of fancied Hampton, a side who had already beaten Dulwich once that season. But there was to be no fairy tale: a ruthless display from the visitors quashed any hopes the home side had of progressing. The 6-0 scoreline was, perhaps, harsh on Dulwich, but they more than met their match in a Hampton side who settled more quickly, and never looked back after taking an early lead.

The Dulwich spirit includes every player, each time we pull on the black and blue jersey. It comes from the resilient work ethic at Dulwich and the people we surround ourselves with. This isn’t just the first team, either; throughout the College and all the way down to the F teams, there is a pride and a spirit that runs through Rugby here. We put in the effort in training and fitness sessions so that, come game day, we play for each other as a unit to gain victory. Playing for seven years beside your best mates, under inspirational coaches and being supported by thousands of parents, OAs and current boys, encourages success in any game, be it a regular fixture on the 1st XV pitch on an autumn Saturday afternoon or a final at Twickenham. Representing Dulwich in any capacity is enough to make any DC boy proud; however, there is something special about running on a rugby pitch in black and blue with a whole community behind you. Although I’m sad to be leaving Dulwich, I am excited about joining the exclusive group of OAs. I know I will always return in the school colours to support future teams and the coaches who have always been there for me and set me in good stead for future opportunities.

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