Cordeaux Academy go Dutch on rugby tour

Opening against established club side Novocastrians Under 16s, the hosts built a commanding half-time lead despite an even first half, which reflected their clinical finishing.

Cordeaux had the better of the second half, finding their finishing touch and maintaining a more solid defence to score two tries to the hosts’ one in a 36-14 defeat.

Buoyed by the promising second half, Cordeaux faced Waterland RFC, one of the bigger club sides in Holland, knowing it could well be their last-ever game. 

In an even first half, Tom Dickinson-Philips crashed over for his first-ever school try, but was forced off injured 10 minutes later by a poor tackle. Despite losing a player, it seemed to galvanise the team and Cordeaux went on to score two further tries to lead 19-0.

The second half started like the first, an even tussle between two very good sides.

As the game wore on, Waterland’s large forwards started to tire and Cordeaux pressed home their advantage, scoring more tries through some brilliant individual efforts to win 43-0.

For the final 10 minutes, Cordeaux played with two fewer players and spent most of the time defending their own line, but Cordeaux were determined not to let the opposition score.

The team were a credit to the academy and have been invited over to Holland to play Waterland RFC.

At the end of the tour, awards were presented to the following students:–

Cordeaux Ambassador: Tom Dickinson-Philips. Top Tackler: Jake Brader. Most Improved Player: Sam Martin. Unsung Hero: Macaulay Benton. Players’ Player(s): Oscar Burkitt and Max Langdale.

The academy wishes to thank PJ & RM Brader and Brader’s Land Drainage for their £200 sponsorship.