UNLIKE some of their opponents these days, Reigate GS cannot claim to have been around at the dawn of rugby history, nor have they always been a power in the land, but at various times their star has shone very brightly.
Like many grammar schools of the time, Reigate didn’t switch to rugby full time until after World War 1 when the government decreed there should be more participation in sport and the output of players was strong enough for an Old Boys team to be formed in 1927.
It was only after World War 2, however, that Reigate began to forge a strong reputation, mainly through two rugby-mad Welsh physics teachers – Mr Lewis and Dick Griffiths – who took control of the First XV. Within their own southern circuit, mainly consisting of fellow grammar schools, Reigate forged a more than decent reputation, but the rugby went to a different level with the arrival of Bob Harden, towards the end of the 60s.
Harden was passionate about all sport but above all else a great teacher and communicator. He started off with no particular love or knowledge of Rugby Union – he was a League man from Cumberland – but realising that a couple of once-in-a-lifetime year groups were moving through the school took himself off to RFU coaching courses and summer camps at Loughborough.
There he soaked up the cutting-edge coaching methods of the time which complemented his own special skills of motivation and oratory. As with all wise schools rugby coaches he also then decided to take not only the First XV, but also the U12A team. A heavy workload, but do that and everything usually slots into place.
Very soon Reigate were embarking on a decade of startling excellence which began with a remarkable run of 57 wins on the trot over four seasons for the First XV.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 13, 2020 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة December 13, 2020 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.