Dover Grammar School for Boys
THE "FIRST THURSDAY"
NEWSLETTERACTS OF VIOLENCE AND 'PLAY FIGHTING'
What sometimes starts or is claimed to start as mutually agreed 'fun' often causes physical hurt and/or can be interpreted as bullying. This problem has grown over recent months, especially with the rise of a craze for wrestling created by TV coverage of 'WWF'. This cannot be allowed to continue. I have made it clear to the boys that all violence is now forbidden whether or not it is play. Action taken by staff and prefects in response to violent acts will not rely on assessments of motivation.
It is important that members of the school respect each other's space at all times and behave in a civilized, dignified manner. I shall be very grateful if parents reinforce these standards.
Headteacher
MOBILE PHONES
Last July the Department for Education and Employment notified all schools about the potential dangers of mobile phones and urged all schools to restrict their use by under-16s. This advice, based on the government commissioned Stewart Report concerns the dangers of radiation on growing brains and recommends that the use of mobile phones by under-16s should be restricted to emergencies only.
This is completely in line with the school policy on mobile phones which was published in the 'First Thursday' last year. To re-iterate, whilst we understand that many parents may wish to provide their sons with mobile phones for reasons connected with their safety, we insist that they are switched off during the school day and are not used at school.
This has become more of an issue recently due to the serious misuse of their mobile phones by a few pupils, including the making of hoax and malicious calls. This is not only against school rules but may also be illegal. Anyone behaving in such a way cannot expect to be allowed to continue to bring a phone to school.
We would therefore ask for the support of all parents in ensuring that their sons use their phones in line with the Government health advice given above. It should also be noted that all mobile phones should be insured and that they are only brought to school at their owner's risk.
Headteacher
SIXTH FORM VISIT TO THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT
14th September 2000
Despite the recent fuel crisis conspiring against it (rendering the mini-bus out of diesel) the Government and Politics and General Studies trip to the Houses of Parliament went ahead (almost as planned) with the PFA kindly agreeing to pay the train fare to London. The train was on time (perhaps a first for Connex) and we arrived at Victoria just before half past eleven. We travelled by underground to the Houses of Parliament, or to give it its proper title 'The Palace of Westminster'.
After testing the ineffectiveness of the metal detector we went through to a Select Committee chamber where we watched a video about the functions and processes of the Houses of Parliament before being given a talk on the role of MPs. The talk was given by the self-termed 'Old fuddy duddy' Tory MP for Chipping Barnet who also answered questions (unsuccessfully trying to remain neutral) on current affairs.
We then went on a tour of the Palace and were taken to the three sections of the House. We walked through the robing room and lounge of the Queen's section and the magnificently decorated House of Lords (and who says the overpaid MPs and Lords don't waste the taxpayer's money - a golden half-globe, football sized decorative ornament was recently replaced at a cost of £1.2 million). We then walked through the main lobby and entered the not so magnificent House of Commons (some members of the group feeling the need to rub the foot of Churchill or Lloyd George). We were told a number of humorous tales of MPs and their antics there. We stood at the dispatch boxes before walking through the division lobbies. On the way to the oldest part of the building we stopped at the spot where the only British Prime Minister to be assassinated was shot. The oldest section used to be a court and was where Charles I and William Wallace were sentenced to death. The courtyard outside was where they were executed. This ended what was a very enjoyable and informative trip.
Stuart Inglis - 12PT
DGSB & DGSG YEAR 12 AS LEVEL GEOGRAPHY FIELDWORK
18th & 19th September 2000
Against all odds the fieldwork went ahead as planned despite the fuel crisis and appalling weather conditions. However, this did not deter Messrs. Evans & Eberlein arriving in shorts, much to the other students' amusement!
Due to the demands of the new AS Level course, DGSB and DGSG felt it appropriate to run the fieldwork in conjunction with each other much to the delight of the year group!
As a result the first day was run by the Girls' School, with students being transported down to Samphire Hoe to greet the cold wind and rough sea. Tasks here involved data collection, analysing the littoral zone, vegetation studies and studying sea defences. After a substantial break for lunch we were driven to Folkestone Warren in the school minibuses.
On arrival in the near gale force winds we were instructed to survey the land above the Warren, investigate coastal defence provision and calculate wave frequencies. On completion we returned to school, some of us more wet than others due to the large waves, Dan Hogg to remain nameless, and braced ourselves for the next day's work at Capel-Le-Ferne.
The second day was, again due to the appalling weather conditions, difficult. Dr. French instructed each group to study a quadrant of the village, involving traffic counts and building and land use surveys. Much to the delight of the students again it started to pour with rain about half an hour after the tasks started, with most groups sheltering at the Cliff Top Café and later at the Battle of Britain Memorial Centre. However, the tasks were completed and the soggy result sheets handed to a drenched Mr. Ralph to study whilst drying his designer stubble!
Despite the weather a constructive time was had by all, the results of which will be incorporated into our Environmental Investigations later this year. Finally thanks go to the teachers from both schools for their perseverance over the two days.
James Eberlein - 12 CA
MODERN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
* On 18th September pupils in Years 7 and 8 took part in a production of le Bistro de Dan Roro. They enjoyed the juggling and practised a little French at the same time.
* A party of pupils from Southern Germany came to school on Friday 29th September to experience a little of English school life. They worked with boys in Years 8, 9 and 11 during their German lessons. They wish to thank everyone for making them feel welcome.
* I wish to thank everyone in advance for taking part in the "Jeans for Genes" fundraising day on Friday 6th October - TOMORROW. I also wish to thank the School Council for their support.
So FRIDAY 6th OCTOBER wear your jeans, or non-uniform clothes, and please hand in £1.00 to your form tutor.
Mrs F Lloyd - Subject Leader for Modern Languages
YEAR 10 HISTORY TRIP TO THE SOMME
Friday 29th September 2000
After meeting at the school at 7.15 am we boarded the coach and went to the docks and straight onto the boat. When we arrived in France we set off to our first stop, Delville Wood. We stopped off for lunch and then went into the museum. Here the South Africans who fought in the war are remembered. The museum is directly opposite a large cemetery, which we also visited. There we did a survey on how many soldiers, NCOs and officers died, and their ages.
We then set off for the Lochnagar mine crater, where British soldiers tunnelled underneath the German positions and placed 60,000lbs of explosives, setting it off to blow the Germans out of their position so that the British could capture it. After seeing this we visited Newfoundland Memorial Park, where the Canadian Newfoundland Battalion attacked the German positions with great losses. On top of a small hill there is a large caribou, which is there to commemorate the missing of the Newfoundland Battalion. Walking round we could still see the craters, trenches and screw pickets which held the barbed wire. Looking back from the German machine gun positions it is easy to see why so many men died advancing over open ground. Most men died before even reaching their own front line, advancing over the top of their trenches instead of walking through their support trenches, which were clogged with dead and wounded. Out of the 800 Newfoundlanders that went over the top 14 officers were killed, 219 other ranks were killed with another 12 officers and 374 other ranks wounded. Only 68 men were present after the battle.
Our last stop was the Thiepval memorial which commemorates the missing of the Somme. The whole memorial is covered with the names of over 73,000 men who have no known grave. The memorial can be seen for miles from any direction and looking round it nearly everyone found somebody of their own surname. We got back on the coach and returned to Calais and the ferry where we had something to eat before arriving home in England an hour early.
Thanks to Mr Gaskell and Mr Falconer for organising the trip and Miss Martin and Mr Davies for helping out.
Liam Desborough - 10 CA
ADVANCED LEVEL LAW STUDENTS
YOUTH CRIME & PUNISHMENT: THE OFFENDERS
7th November 2000
The Lower Sixth Form will be participating in this very informative conference to be held at the Institute of Education, University of London.
The conference will be followed by a Crown Court visit in Canterbury during the term, date to be announced, and it is anticipated that the students will meet the Judge(s) in chambers after the court case. The students will be able to ask general questions about the Law, but not direct questions relating to the court case they will have heard on the day. Students will, therefore, develop an understanding of the criminal procedure both in court and the effects on offenders at the Conference.
Mr V Crofts - Subject Leader for Law
UNIVERSITY SUCCESSES
We are very pleased to hear of the following successes among former DGSB students:
University of Leeds
Christopher Birt - was admitted to the degree of Master of Engineering having obtained an Honours (Class 1) in Civil Engineering with Construction Management.
University of Leicester
Robert Linkin - obtained a degree in Economic and Social History.
MACMILLAN SAHARA WALK
The parents of two pupils in Year 10 - David Jordan (father of Jamie) and Chris Bulow (father of Ben) are joining with a friend to walk 104 km across the Sahara in November to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Relief.
They would welcome sponsorship from any pupil or parent for this excellent cause. Amounts can be pledged and paid at the School Office. Thank you.
Mr G Falconer - Assistant Headteacher
LIBRARY
As the Autumn term gets into full swing the Library again finds itself collecting cereal "Box Tops for Education". This scheme is run by Nestle and each token collected is worth 10p. This year any money collected will go towards replacing the headphones for the Library computers. Any number of tokens will be gratefully received.
Later this month we take receipt of a computer courtesy of Tesco Computers for Schools. This will be used to introduce an in-house Library Administration / Management program that will eventually help provide an even better and efficient service to the school. The internet computers are now networked and a new printer in place with the other computers in the Library to be added later.
Following a stock check at the end of the summer I would like to engage your help in retrieving some very overdue library books from all years. The boys are very good at borrowing materials but forgetful about returning stock on the dates required. As more and more people are using the facility the return of late books does not help keep the stock fluid and interesting. Perhaps a quick scan in the deepest depths of bedrooms would turn up some surprises!! With thanks.
Mrs L George - School Librarian
MUSIC
The month of September has seen a busy start to the new academic year for the school's musicians. On Friday 15th September the Guest Evening saw the presentation of prizes and certificates to our outgoing 'A' Level students, musical items as usual making an important contribution to the event. As is the tradition at our prizegivings, the solo items were provided by the music prizewinners themselves - Michael Quinn on Trumpet and Xavier Taylor on Piano - and the evening concluded with a performance by the ever popular Jazz Group.
The next evening our musicians were in action again - the Jazz Group, members of the Brass Ensemble and solo flautist Thomas Munford providing a substantial part of the programme in a Concert presented by Charlton Church as part of their Flower Festival celebrations. The contribution of our musicians was much appreciated by the audience and we were pleased to be able to continue our long-standing link with Charlton as the venue for our choral concerts and carol services.
On Saturday 23rd September the Old Pharosians' Association Annual Dinner took place. In line with another of the school's musical traditions a recital of organ music was given before the Dinner by the Director of Music, Mr Richard Davies, and after the meal a musical interlude was provided by Old Pharosian Stephen Yarrow.
A number of pupils have been successful in graded examinations recently and deserve our congratulations:
Joel Wade (Grade 2 Drum Kit with Merit)
Richard Horsler (Grade 4 Drum Kit with Merit)
Robert McKay (Grade 2 Piano)
Thomas Smith (10PY) (Grade 4 Piano with Merit)
Kush Boparai (Grade 2 Theory)
A number of local pop groups include students from the school and one guitarist who wishes to remain anonymous writes ......
On a Sunday in July The Chance Inn at Guston staged a concert called Gustonbury 2000. Many local bands took part and even one from Turkey. As one of the afternoon acts a local band, "The Dover Souls", performed numbers by artists such as Jimmy Hendrix, Eric Clapton and other big names in this type of music. Whilst playing 'Layla' we noticed someone join the audience and the lead guitarist rushed off stage to great him, leaving the others to carry on playing. There was then an announcement that the mystery guest was the one and only Nick Headen - the drummer of the world famous group 'The Clash' (and old boy of DGSB) - and he would be joining us on drums for the grand finale, Jimmy Hendrix's Purple Haze! The day went with an extra bang and the money raised was just short of £1,000 to be donated to the Children's Hospital.
On Wednesday 11th October we will be presenting our Autumn Concert in conjunction with the Governing Body's Annual Parents' Meeting for 2000. It is hoped that many parents will wish to attend both events.
The programme will include a wide range of music played by the school's musicians including performances by the Training Band, Brass Ensemble, Jazz Group and Big Band together with a variety of solo items.
The Annual Parents' Meeting will begin at 7.00 pm and will be followed by a choice of Wine and Cheese or light refreshments. Those wishing to attend the concert only are warmly invited and should arrive for 7.45 pm in time for the refreshments which will precede the musical performance.
Please make this concert known amongst family, friends and others who may be interested. We hope you will be able to join us.
Mr R Davies - Director of Music
PARENTS' AND FRIENDS' ASSOCIATION
Our thanks to all the parents who attended the annual meeting on Tuesday when we reviewed the past year's activities and fund-raising, and looked forward to the next twelve months. We were pleased to welcome several new committee members.
Thanks were expressed to all those who had supported the PFA during the year, including Christine Dunstone who has retired from the PFA committee after seven years' service.
Don't forget that we have one of our very popular Wine and Wisdom evenings on Friday 3rd November and you should have received a letter about it. So make sure you book your table soon. If you need a booking form, please contact PFA secretary Janet Munford through the School Office.
PFA members will be serving refreshments at the prospective parents' evening next Monday and the governors' annual meeting / Autumn Concert next Wednesday.
The next committee meeting is on Tuesday 31st October at 7.00 pm. Before the business part of the meeting we will be putting the Christmas draw tickets into envelopes.
Mrs J Tutthill - Chairman
OLD PHAROSIANS
Nearly 90 old boys and their guests attended the association's annual reunion dinner at the school on 23rd September when our new President, Phil Janaway (who was a pupil at the school from 1943 to 1952) took the chair. He had been elected President at the annual meeting that morning. Mr Janaway paid tribute to the work of the retiring President, the Reverend John Philpott. He recalled the war years of evacuation in Wales. "In a way, we too were immigrants, or maybe refugees, fleeing a war", he commented. During the dinner Old Pharosian Steve Yarrow and Hannah Barnett entertained with songs and music. Among those at the dinner were Dr George Curry (a pupil at the school 1927-36) who had travelled from Florida and Richard Spear (1941-46) who lives in British Columbia, Canada.
Denis Doble was elected Vice-President, Phil Harding secretary and Graham Tutthill assistant secretary, Ian Pascall treasurer, Mrs Jean Luckhurst membership secretary, Terry Sutton and Graham Tutthill newsletter editors, Dr Peter Burville archivist and Neil Beverton auditor. Roger Gabriel and Maurice Smith were re-elected to the committee. Staff members elected to the committee were Malcolm Grant and Françoise Lloyd and it was pointed out it was probably the first time a lady had served on the OP's committee.
The committee is to discuss the appointment of a website editor to keep old boys around the world up to date on school and association activities. The committee meets next on Tuesday 14th November at 7.00 pm.
Mr G Tutthill - Newsletter Editor
COMBINED CADET FORCE
The past month has been very busy and active for the CCF. At the beginning of the month there was target shooting at Hythe ranges in preparation for CADSAAM, an annual national shooting competition held at the end of September in Ash ranges, Aldershot. At CADSAAM both teams shot well with Gary Thomas gaining the best overall score from our unit. Sadly we didn't win any medals but we were easily in the top half of the score table. Friday 15th September saw the Royal Navy Schools Liaison Officer, Lt Coope, visit to make a presentation about the RN.
Last Friday, 29th September, was the biennial inspection by Brigadier Minter. The day went well with the RAF section showing off it capabilities, both in the lecture room with a First Aid lesson and in the field with a Land Rover pull across the top field of the school. The Army section also showed off its might with a battle simulation on Acrise training area (near Hawkinge) involving blank ammunition and pyrotechnics. Brigadier Minter seemed happy with the Contingent and we now await his official report.
The month ahead is also busy with Air Experience Flying, Shooting at Hythe, Ground Training Competition (RAF only) and a NCO Leadership Course during half term held at St Martin's Plain Barracks in Folkestone.
As you can see the activities in the CCF are varied and there is a lot going on. Should you be interested in joining the CCF please feel free to come down to the CCF Headquarters one lunchtime and pick up an information pack and application form.
CSM T Robinson
SPORTS NEWS
Football - Dover District Inter Schools League
Year 7 XI -v- St Edmunds, Dover on Tuesday 26th September.
In our second 11 a-side match of the season another excellent performance from all the squad saw many of the team score and all contributed to an overwhelming attack. Some fine touches from Sammy Brannigan, Stephen Grant and Aaron Reed. With some excellent support play from our defence and midfield we were just too strong in all departments of the game. It is to be hoped that we can continue our momentum against our next opponents Castle Community School away at Deal.
P.S. We are due to play Pent Valley School at home in the 2nd round of the County Cup game to be arranged by early November.
Year 8 -v- St Edmunds, Dover on Thursday 28th September.
Despite a very much weakened side especially up front this was a rather one-sided affair. An early goal from Adam Horne saw the team never look back. Some excellent passing throughout the side put the St Edmunds defence under a lot of pressure and 3 more goals came in the first half with some excellent play in midfield and up front and some good kicking movements between Adam Horne and Jared Cole. A further 4 goals came in the second half with the visitors under almost continuous pressure from our forward line.
Areas that need to be improved are more communication between players, particularly in our defence, and more consistent accuracy in our passing.
Overall this was an excellent team performance with 8 goals being our total.
Mr M Grant - Subject Leader for Physical Education
Year 9 Football
Our first game of the season was against a reasonably strong Sandwich Technology side. Our first half performance was a good one and we went into the break with a slender 1-0 lead. The goal came from a penalty, which was given for a clear handball, although the Sandwich players didn't agree. The penalty was scored by Steven King.
After the break our game slipped as Sandwich became very physical and in the first minute of the second half Sandwich scored an equaliser. The game was now starting to slip away from us and they took the lead in the 59th minute. As the game was coming towards an end it looked as if we had lost but we gambled and put 3 up front. This worked as captain, Steven King, scored his second after latching onto a long ball and lobbing the keeper with a goal that only just dropped in the far post. This goal came with just 5 minutes left. The game ended a 2-2 draw.
Saturday 23rd September - The Year 9 team played in the District 7-a-side cup. It was played in a league format with the team on top of the table, after their five games, becoming the winners. Our first game was against St Edmunds. We started slowly and didn't adapt to the shorter game, but we still came away with a win - a last minute goal from Stephen O'Brien.
We played much better in our second game against the hosts Castle Community School. A goal from Lewis Fitzjohn gave us the lead and then a Steven King goal gave us a comfortable 2-0 win.
Our third game was against Walmer when we again played well and took the lead through a Steven King goal. Another 2-0 win was confirmed when a Walmer defender scored an own goal.
Our fourth game was our poorest of all against Sir Roger Manwoods. We kept another clean sheet but this time failed to score with the game ending up 0-0 draw.
Our final game was the decider against Archers Court with the winner of this game becoming the overall winner. We took the lead through a penalty by Steven King after an Archer's defender had made a great save on the line, however, he used his hands. This resulted in him being sent off. We confirmed our defence of the trophy with a last minute goal from Stephen O'Brien.
This was a very enjoyable morning with no just our year team winning. It must also be noted that we didn't concede a goal in the tournament which is credit to the defence.
Tuesday 26th September - We entertained St Edmunds. We started badly and conceded a very early goal but after that we just totally controlled the game. We equalised through James Brannan. The next two goals were great finishes by Lewis Fitzjohn. We were now scoring freely and James Brannan added his second and soon after Lewis Fitzjohn completed his hat-trick. On the stroke of half time Craig Trimble scored off a Steven King corner. The second half continued how the first half finished. Two further goals from James Brannan made it 8-1 and two more from Stephen O'Brien increased our lead further. We finished well with our makeshift star striker Ben Punton scoring from close range. A very easy and enjoyable game ended up at 11-1 to us.
Tuesday 3rd October - The Year 9 team entertained Castle Community School and from the beginning of the game we took control but some bad luck and poor finishing prevented us from taking a lead until near the end of the first half. It came about when Stephen O'Brien played a through ball which was latched on to by Steven King. He took on a defender and then slotted it in the bottom corner.
The second half started well and soon Simon Pearson-Wood beat the offside trap and scored our second goal from close range. Soon after some great battling by Craig Trimble, who won the ball on the by-line, he cut it back for Steven King to put in the net. Dover kept going strong and with ten minutes left Steven King completed his hat-trick when he latched on to a James Clements through ball and lobbed the keeper. This completed a good 4-0 win for Dover.
Steven King - 9PT
The Year 8 Football team kicked off their season on Friday 8th September, playing hosts to Archer's Court in a District League match hastily re-organised from the previous day. Dover started strongly and it was soon obvious that we were more organised and more technically proficient than our visitors were. Liam Friend picked up from where he left off in France during last term's tournament by scoring the first goal in the 3rd minute. He quickly followed up with his brace in the 6th minute and it was now apparent that a rout was on the cards. Archer's then managed to hold out for eight minutes before David Oxenham hit a barnstorming effort from 25yards which flew past the beleaguered Archer's Court Keeper. Liam Marsh then got in on the scoring act slotting home in the 17th minute. Just when Archer's thought it couldn't get any worse for them it did with a dreadful defensive mix-up resulting in an own goal only a minute later.
At 5-0 up Grammar were cruising and Archers' heads dropped. Lewis Cockayne marked his return to the team with a goal in the 19th minute taking the score to 6-0. Luke Phillips then weighed in with his own candidate of goal of the match to rival David Oxenham, when he dribbled his way from the half-way line past six Archer's defenders to slot neatly past the keeper.
Lewis Cockayne then notched up his brace in the 23rd minute which signaled a 5 minute goal drought for Grammar in which the strikers managed to hit everything but the goal with shots flying wide, over and striking all three pieces of woodwork before Liam Marsh completed his brace in the 28th minute, leaving the half-time score 9-0 to Grammar.
At half time Grammar replaced 'Keeper Liam Cummings who was carrying a thigh strain with James Chainey, whilst Archer's rung the changes bringing on four players one of whom was a girl who turned out to be one of their best players.
First of the three on a hat trick to complete their sequence was Liam Marsh who neatly scored in the 38th minute. Two minutes later Adam Horne scored his first of the season after good work on the right.
In the 46th minute David Oxenham got his second goal in slightly less spectacular fashion slotting in from inside the box for 12-0. Liam Marsh then took his personal tally to 4 in the 48th minutes proving that goal 13 wasn't unlucky for him.
Four minutes later striking partner Liam Friend grabbed his hat trick to make the score 14-0. Not to be out done Lewis Cockayne duly completed his hat trick in the 60th minute.
With the score line becoming a little silly Liam Friend got his fourth to tie with Liam Marsh as the seasons top scorer so far, but not to be out shone Liam Marsh grabbed his fifth and the 17th goal of the match in the 65th minute. It all went quiet then for the last few minutes thankfully for the tortured Archer's court defence leaving the final score 17-0 to Grammar.
Our second fixture of the season was the annual 7-a side tournament at Castle Community. We had high hopes as we won this championship as year 7's and wished to repeat this as year 8's. Our first game was against St. Edmunds. We started slowly and improved as the game went on but were not able to do enough to win the game whilst secure goalkeeping from Liam Cummings ensured that we kept a clean sheet and a point for the draw.
Castle Community and Walmer drew 0-0, whilst Sir Roger Manwoods beat Archers Court 1-0.
We then played Walmer and started to show our class beating them comfortably 3-0 with goals from Liam Marsh (2) and David Oxenham.
St. Edmunds beat Castle Community 1-0 and Sir Roger Manwoods beat Walmer 1-0.
Our third game was against Castle Community, a game we dominated but only managed to score one goal from Liam Friend to finish 1-0.
St. Edmunds beat Archer's Court 2-0, Castle Community and Sir Roger Manwoods drew 0-0 and Archer's Court beat Walmer 1-0.
Next came the crunch match against Sir Roger Manwoods the only other team who could beat us in the competition. Dover Grammar came out fighting and totally outplayed Manwoods throughout the match winning comfortably 3-0 with goals from Liam Marsh (2) and Liam Friend.
Castle Community then lost to Archer's Court 1-0 whilst Walmer and St. Edmunds drew 0-0.
This then left Grammar only needing a draw against Archer's Court in their final game to take the title. Again we were just too powerful for our opposition but left it late for substitute David Oxenham to score the winner in the last but one-minute.
A happy day well rounded off as we took the trophy home with twelve happy lads who had all played excellently. Liam Cummings and James Chainey in goal, neither of whom were beaten all day with 5 clean sheets between them, Andrew Arter, Mark Ambrose and Jamie Phillips sold in defence. Joel Wade, Luke Phillips, Adam Horne and Lewis Cockayne creative in midfield whilst strikers Liam Marsh (4), Liam Friend (2) and David Oxenham (2) bagging all the goals. Well done to all who played.
On Saturday 30th September the year 8's had their First Round County Cup match against Hereson's School, the side who knocked us out last year with a last minute 30-yard free-kick goal in the quarterfinals.
Ready to settle the score Grammar started uncharacteristically by quickly scoring through Captain Liam Marsh in the first minute. The advantage was doubled eleven minutes later when Adam Horne broke the Hereson's defence to slot home neatly. Stung into action and realising that they were in a game Hereson's came back at us and halved the deficit in the 15th minute. This did not last as Dover re-asserted their superiority and Liam Marsh grabbed his second in the 21st minute. Only a minute later Dover pressed the self-destruct button as a Hereson's player was needlessly pulled down 30 yards from goal. This was foolish as we know from last year's bitter experience that they are very capable of scoring from this range, which they did with consummate ease to leave the half time score 3-2 to Dover.
After half-time Hereson's started much the brighter side combining well, and it only took them 4 minutes to be on terms. Realising that the game was slipping away from them Captain Liam Marsh lead from the front seizing on a missed clearance from Hereson's to score a hotly contested goal to round off his hat-trick. With Hereson's manager adamant that Marsh was off-side when the initial through ball was played, the ref's decision was final and the goal stood.
A ding-dong battle then ensued in midfield for the remaining 25 minutes with neither side giving quarter or taking prisoners with their tackling.
With time slipping away substitute Jared Cole won a free kick wide on the left side of the pitch. The ball was delivered into the box and from the ensuing scramble Adam Horne followed in to seize on a ball rebounding from the post to score from all of a yard.
The final whistle then blew with a very satisfying revenge exacted on our conquerors of last year 5-3.
Football Fixtures:
Sat. 7th Oct. Years 7, 8, 9 & 10 -v- Norton Knatchbull at Ashford. Leave at 9.00 am.
Wed. 18th Oct. 2.30 1st XI -v- Simon Langton GS (A)
2.30 2nd XI -v- Simon Langton GS (H)
Wed. 1st Nov. 2.15 1st XI -v- Tunbridge Wells GS (A)
2.15 2nd XI -v- Tunbridge Wells GS (H)
Rugby
Year 10 made the school's first ever foray into the Daily Mail Schools Rugby Cup competition on Thursday 28th September. We played host to Clofe's School of Lee South East London at Crabble due to the first XV pitch not being of a playable standard.
The teams started strongly with ferocious tackling on both sides being the main characteristic of the game, so much so that for the first 10 minutes play did not move any further than 10 metres into either sides' half. On the stroke of the 10th minute Ed Close managed to evade his would-be tackler to make a 30 metre break down the pitch to score Grammar's first try in the corner. Unfortunately Robbie Guy was unable to convert the difficult kick.
The status-quo of hard running with the ball followed by even harder tackling for the next 10 minutes with Dover able to stand up to the onslaught from Colfe's. Unfortunately under immense pressure a kick to touch from our own 22 failed to make touch and Colfe's were able to run in their first try to tie the match. The conversion was missed so the score remained 5-5.
Buoyed by their try Colfe's came at us again and yet again huge defence managed to keep them out for all but one of the last 10 minutes. On the stroke of half-time Colfe's managed to find a chink in the Grammar armour to score out wide. The conversion proving too difficult the half-time score was Dover Grammar 5 Colfe's 10.
With the elements in our favour in the second half Grammar started brightly with excellent powered up running particularly from the forwards, James Field, Chris Lucas, Alex Barr and Richard Trenowden leading the way allowing the backs able to pierce Clofe's defence during second phase ball. Richard Trenowden scored a dynamic forwards try, allowing Robbie Guy to score the conversion for a Grammar lead. 12-10. Grammar then picked up the tempo for the next ten minutes but to no avail, as hard as we could run and find gaps in the Colfe's line, they were able to match us with strong tackles and fast cover defence.
Next it was Colfe's turn to up their game, and they attacked us with determination. Again we held them off with immense tackles particularly in defence. It was in one of these huge hits that Alex Jaye was momentarily injured. Using their natural advantage of numbers whilst Alex was receiving treatment Colfe's were able to stretch us right across the pitch with a fantastic sequence of passes to score in the corner. Again the conversion proved too difficult for the Colfe's kicker. But they led 15-12. A period of incredible pressure followed with Colfe's camped on their own line for nearly 10 minutes. The ball crossed the Colfe's line twice only for the score to be ruled out, once for a second movement to place the ball over the line and one for the ball being held up in goal. With the exertion of pressing for the line the Grammar players tired and a fast breakaway by Colfe's was only stopped metres from the Grammar line by a heroic last gasp tackle by stand-in Full-Back Paul Cairns. However from the ensuing succession of scrums and line outs in Dover's 22 finally Colfe's were able to make the match safe with only a few minutes to go when they crossed the line for a converted try and a 12-22 victory.
Beaten but unbowed Dover Grammar's first trip into a wider world of Rugby was a major success, drawing high quality opposition who regularly make the National Quarter Finals of this competition we put up an excellent fight and played one of the most exciting games of rugby that I have ever seen. All those who missed the match missed a real treat that would have graced the latter stages of this competition. All the 16 boys involved can hold their heads up high as they truly did themselves and the school proud.
Mr K Onions - Teacher of Physical Education
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Annual Parents' Meeting - Wednesday 11th October at 7.00 pm followed by the Autumn Concert at 8.00 pm.
Half Term - Thursday 19th - Friday 27th October inclusive.
Staff Development Days - Thursday 19th/Friday 20th October.
GCSE Presentation Ceremony - Thursday 9th November at 4.00 pm.
