Reigate's renowned 56 Club were unbeatable with 15 on the pitch

Brendan Gallagher continues his series looking at rugby’s great schools

- Brendan Gallagher

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.