On Tuesday, the TIFS Year 7 boys’ rugby team travelled over to Southampton to take part in the Hampshire Schools Festival. The morning session groups were split between pools of mixed geography/ability with TIFS getting off to a great start winning against Batten School 5-0, followed by a 5-1 victory against St.George’s. The final game was against unbeaten Witton School where TIFS battled for a place in the championship group. Witton school (in first position and leading the group by one try) meant that the boys needed to play at their very best in order to qualify. Moving the ball as quickly as possible was key to playing against Witton school, the TIFS boys fronted up physically and came away with a 3-2 win, thanks to a fantastic try at the end of the match by Dylan W.

Injuries and tiredness started to take a toll in the afternoon session, TIFS showed great spirit drawing the opening afternoon game, resulting in 2-2 against Toynbee. Early tournament favourites, Kings School from Winchester, were the boys’ next opponents. This match led to a draw 3-3. Winchester School went into the last game with the chance of winning the tournament meaning TIFS were battling for 3rd or 4th place. The final game of the day for our boys was against Priestlands School from Lymington. The team played with great character doing themselves and the school very proud in a close encounter with the Lymington School resulting in a 4-2 win to Priestlands, meaning TIFS finished 4th place overall.

The most improved players of the day went to Noah and Tiger, both of whom played their first games of rugby.

Attacker of the day went to Finley B, his charging runs built a brilliant platform for TIFS to show off the team’s attacking abilities.

Arthur W was awarded with defender of the day, as many opponents tried their best to get past him – with not one succeeding.

Moment of the day went to Dylan W’s last minute winner, where he beat 4 defenders with his pace to score, enabling the TIFS team to qualify into the championship group.

Mr Marriott’s post tournament comments: “A big thankyou must go out to all parents/carers for dropping pupils off at the ferry so early, I know the boys really appreciated it. I’m extremely proud of all the boys’ performances today and am very excited to see how good this team can become in the future, keep it up!”

Well done to all the Year 7 Boys’ who participated, TIFS are very proud of their conduct and achievements from the festival.