#10| SINGAPORE & AUSTRALIA (1997)

40 boys | 27 days | 12 fixtures

PLAYED: 12|WON: 10|LOST: 1|DRAWN: 1| CO-EFFICIENT: 3.05
PTS FOR: 395| PTS AGAINST: 117| PTS DIFF: 278|BONUS PTS: 36.56

singapore - Perth - sydney - melbourne - brisbane - toowoomba - cairns

tour itinerary

TOUR RESULTS

WIN %: 83.3%| CO-EFFICIENT: 3.05|BONUS PTS: 36.56

PLAYED: 12 | WON: 10 | LOST: 1 | DRAWN: 1
PTS FOR: 395 | PTS AGAINST: 117 | PTS DIFF: 278

1st XV results

WIN %: 83.3%| CO-EFFICIENT: 3.36|BONUS PTS: 20.16

PLAYED: 6 | WON: 5 | LOST: 0 | DRAWN: 1
PTS FOR: 258 | PTS AGAINST: 50 | PTS DIFF: 208

2nd XV results

WIN %: 83.3%| CO-EFFICIENT: 2.73|BONUS PTS: 16.40

PLAYED: 6 | WON: 5 | LOST: 1 | DRAWN: 0
PTS FOR: 137| PTS AGAINST: 67 | PTS DIFF: 70

Tour Awards

The following Tour Awards were made at the Tour Dinner:

• Most Improved Player: tbc

• ARGE (All-round good egg!): tbc

• Matthew Pattison Memorial Award for Best Tourer:tbc

• Player of the Tour: tbc

1996-1997 RESULTS

Tour Squad

MASTERS

#0101: Keith P. Williams (Tour Manager, Head Sixth Form)
Educated at St Peter's Grammar School and progressed to Hertford College for teacher training in 1979.
Represented college and school as 1st XV Captain, now eligible (only just) for Campion Old Boys Vets.
Hobbies: All sports, entertaining and Irish music

#0137: Kevin Walsh (Staff)
Hobbies: Loves to sing, can often be heard expounding the laws of the game.
Ambitions: When I finally grow up I want to be a Starship captain and boldly go where no man has gone before.
Former student of Campion School, played rugby for Sheffield University and R.A.D.A.

#0077: Chris Jones (Head of Rugby)
Interests: Former student of The Campion School and Cardiff Institute of Higher Education. Taught briefly in Barking and Hertford before returning to school this year.
Have played rugby for Cardiff 1st XV, Barking and Campion Old Boys as well as London schools.
Hobbies: Watching or playing most sports, curries.

#0138: David Garratt (Chairman of Tour Committee)
Interests: Coaching Campion Old Boys RFC (recently promoted)
Hobbies: Organising fund raising events, shopping

tour captain

#0169: John Skurr (Nos. 8/Flanker)
Height: 192cm | Weight: 96kg
Interests / Hobbies: Food, drink, debating and McDonalds
Ambitions: To become a professional rugby player if not a professional speech master

TOURING SQUAD

#0139: John Brickell (Fly-Half)
Height: | Weight: 75kg
Interests: Rugby, Football, Socialising and women Parties
Hobbies: Rugby, Represented Campion 1st XV Essex,
Ambitions: Play professional rugby, get a job to live a comfortable enjoyable life

#0140: David Cannon (Second Row/Nos. 8)
Height: 188cm | Weight: 75kg
Interests: Playing all sports including Rugby, Basketball. Athletics and Cricket
Hobbies: Socialising with my friends
Ambitions: Gain good A-Levels and get a good job

#0141: Sean Castles (Hooker)
Height: 190cm | Weight: 80kg
Interests / Hobbies: All sports, especially Rugby, Judo. Water and Snow Skiing
Ambitions: To pass my A-Levels, play professional rugby for St Helens, and give the Australians a hard time on the field. whilst on tour

#0142: Mark Coombs (Centre/Winger)
Height: 180cm | Weight: 64kg
Interests: All sports, Rugby, Football and Cricket
Hobbies: Going out with my mates
Ambitions: To play 1st class cricket, and get a decent hair-cut

#0143: Liam Corbett (Winger)
Height: 184cm | Weight: 80kg
Interests: Most sports especially Rugby, Football and Basketball Hobbies: Music and socialising (on Saturday night)
Ambitions: To be rich

#0144: Danny Coyle (Prop)
Height: 179cm | Weight: 85kg
Interests: Rugby, supporting West Ham Utd
Hobbies: Having a good night out with the lads
Ambitions: To pass my A Levels, move into sports journalism, retire and buy a pub!

#0145: Pat Cussen (Hooker)
Height: 183cm | Weight: 85kg
Interests: Socialising, all types of sports especially Rugby
Ambitions: Hopefully to be successful in life, but above all to be happy and contented, in work and “PLAY”

#0146: Simon Dickinson (Flanker)
Height: 178cm | Weight: 76kg
Interests / Hobbies: Film, Music, Books, Socialising, Playing Pool and Snooker
Ambitions: To be happy and enjoy myself

#0147: Mark Stephen Ellis (Scrum-Half/Full-Back)
Height: 170cm | Weight: 70kg
Interests / Hobbies /Ambitions: To complete A Levels and succeed in whatever career I decide to follow 

#0148: David John Garratt (Prop)
Height: 182cm | Weight: 80kg
Interests: Sports, Irish Music, good food and fine wines
Hobbies: Train spotting
Ambitions: To work in McDonald's and get all five stars on my badge

#0149: Michael Geaghan (Fly-Half/Full-Back)
Height: 187cm | Weight: 63kg
Interests / Hobbies: Socialising, good music, good films, all sportsAmbitions: To travel and own a pub

#0150: Dominic Harkins (Scrum-Half)
Height: 164cm | Weight: 50kg
Interests: Designing, playing Football, Rugby & Rugrats
Hobbies: Model making, Football, Rugby,Ambitions: To play professional football, and to opena Nightclub called COUSINS

#0151: Leo Hartley (Second Row)
Height: 205cm | Weight: 100kg
Interests: The Fugees, alien colonies coming to earth on head shaving missions
Hobbies: Rugby represented Essex and Essex Counties, socialising and singing
Ambitions: Leave school with good GNVQ results possibly leading to a job in the big city

#0152: Rhys Hersey (Prop/Hooker)
Height: 183cm | Weight: 92kg
Interests: Socialising, Rugby, Basketball, Golf, Football and all sports
Hobbies: Computer games, Weight Training & Pool
Ambitions: To go to University to gain a degree, preferably in veterinary science. Also to play rugby at Twickenham for England.

#0153: Adam Higgins (Prop)
Height: 174cm | Weight: 95kg
Interests / Hobbies: Rugby, Weight Training, Socialising, Fishing. Having fun, I also coach an U13 Rugby Team
Ambitions: To ‘finally’ finish school at Campion. Travel the world first class (all expenses paid). Own a nice car, have a good job, earn a lot of money

#0154: Patrick Hinchin (Prop)
Height: 188cm | Weight: 93kg
Interests / Hobbies: Socialising, Music, Athletics, Belly dancing
Ambitions: To go to University, get into the financial world in London and to find my green hanky.

#0155: David Leech (Second Row/Back Row)
Height: 186cm | Weight: 89kg
Interests / Hobbies: Bird Watching and the fermentation of yeast and hops. WARNING: Bird Watching after much yeast and hops can be very deceiving! Or so I was told! (honest mum)
Ambitions: To go to University and continue my hobbies and interests (see above)

#0156: Paul Lynch (Centre)
Height: 175cm | Weight: 70kg
Interests / Hobbies: Playing & watching most sports especially Rugby and Football, Music and Socialising
Ambitions: To complete my A-Levels successfully, possibly go to University or work in the city

#0157: Luke Maguire (Winger/Full-Back)
Height: 174cm | Weight: 62kg
Interests / Hobbies: Rugby, Socialising, Music, Athletics
Ambitions: To win Daily Mail Cup next year, go to University get a degree in something and to play professional rugby

#0158: Guy Maltby (Centre)
Height: 180cm | Weight: 67kg
Interests: Cars and Motorbikes
Hobbies: Fishing, Rugby and Biking
Ambitions: To become a successful broker in the money or stock markets

#0159: Michael McDarby (Centre/Winger)
Height: 184cm | Weight: 80kg
Interests: All sports
Hobbies: Socialising
Ambitions: To travel and to work in the Stockmarket

#0160: Brian McEwan (Full-Back)
Height: 180cm | Weight: 80kg
Interests / Hobbies: Most sports especially Football, Rugby and Golf, movies, music and juggling
Ambitions: To develop my rugby skills, go to University and hopefully travel after the tour

#0161: Christopher McEwan (Back Row)
Height: 187cm | Weight: 90kg
Interests / Hobbies: Rugby: school, club and county, all sports including Athletics, golf, football and tennis, music, violin and singing in school groups, I am also a practising Catholic.
Ambitions: I hope to go into Sixth Form, for Maths, Physics and Geography, then ideally to Glasgow University for Accountancy, and to play rugby to the highest standard possible

#0162: Colin Moran (Fly-Half/Full-Back)
Height: 177cm | Weight: 59kg
Interests / Hobbies: Playing sports such as Rugby, Football, Snooker, Golf and socializing
Ambitions: To travel, take a year out to go to Spain, do well in life with what ever I decide to do

#0163: Daniel Nash (Scrum-Half)
Height: 173cm | Weight: 77kg
Position: Interests / Hobbies: Most sports, socialising and listening to music
Ambitions: Achieve three good A-Levels and to be successful and happy

#0164: Toby O’Rourke (Second Row)
Height: 194cm | Weight: 100kg
Interests / Hobbies: I’m interested in most sports especially rugby, I enjoy most types of music and going out with my friends
Ambitions: I hope to study Law at University and continue playing rugby for as long as possible

#0165: Mark Pearce (Center)
Height: 192cm | Weight: 75kg
Interests: Rugby and Cricket
Hobbies: All sport, Rugby, Cricket, Badminton, Music and Indian Cuisine
Ambitions: To show the Australians a thing or two about how to play rugby. Enjoy the tour by winning all the matches and being fitter and stronger than ever before. Finish the tour and go on to work in New Zealand for a year and see the country by doing some crazy outdoor pursuits

#0166: Sean Philips (Prop)
Height: 183cm | Weight: 108kg
Interests / Hobbies: Playing and watching sports, socialising and music
Ambitions: To stay on in sixth form and study for A-Levels and then study physical education at University. Play a high level of club rugby

#0167: Rhys Pitt (Fly-Half/Scrum-Half)
Height: 180cm | Weight: 68kg
Interests: Rugby, Basketball, Cricket, Golf and collecting Kinder Egg Toys
Hobbies: Good films, socialising, Indian cuisine
Ambitions: To be a successful businessman and to continue to play rugby at some level

#0168: Anthony Skurr (Centre)
Height: 190cm | Weight: 90kg
Interests / Hobbies: All sports particularly Athletics and Rugby
Ambitions: To play sport at the highest level and enjoy life to the full

#0170: Mark Slattery (Centre/Scrum-Half)
Height: 175cm | Weight: 79kg
Interests / Hobbies: I enjoy watching and playing sports, I enjoy seeing my friends and going out to have a good time.
Ambitions: In the future I hope to go to University

#0171: Chris Smith (Flanker)
Height: 174cm | Weight: 69kg
Interests: All sports Hobbies: Chess
Ambitions: To become a Blue Peter presenter

#0172: Craig Stevenson (Scrum-Half)
Height: 171cm | Weight: 69kg
Interests: Rugby, Swimming, Skiing
Hobbies: Good food and music
Ambitions: To go to University and get a degree, and then go into the R.A.F.

#0173: Stephen Sullivan (Back Row)
Height: 190cm | Weight: 83kg
Interests / Hobbies: Rugby, Basketball, Football, Windsurfing, Canoeing, Body Boarding, Caving, Sailing, Kabadi and Socialising
Ambitions: To do well in my A-Levels, go to University to study Law and then to travel the world

#0174: Piers Thomas (Winger)
Height: 188cm | Weight: 72kg
Interests: All sports and socialising.
Hobbies: Mr Muscle adverts
Ambitions: Go on to higher education and get a good job

#0175: Carl Tregg (1-15)
Height: 175cm | Weight: 74kg
Interests / Hobbies: All sports and socialising.
Ambitions: To be successful in my chosen career and to lead a happy life

#0176: William Walton (Centre)
Height: 188cm | Weight: 91kg
Interests / Hobbies: All sports, socialising and Gangster Movies
Ambitions: Obtain good A-Level results, have a successful tour and continue with rugby.

#0177: Christopher Webber (Back Row)
Height: 184cm | Weight: 78kg
Interests / Hobbies: I enjoy all sports, particularly Rugby, Cricket and Football. I like reading music and socialising.
Ambitions: Do a parachute jump, go to University

#0178: Matthew Yallop (Winger)
Height: 184cm | Weight: 76kg
Interests / Hobbies: To score even more tries against the Aussies. To enjoy myself and live life to the full.
Ambitions: To be successful and popular

Review of Season

1996-1997

As the season enters what hopefully will be our penultimate game we reflect on what been a very successful season for the school. Under the guidance of new coach and old boy Chris Jones the team have continued to play in the fine Campion tradition of running rugby.

After tough and grueling pre-season training sessions the boys anxiously awaited the naming of the Ist for their opening match against Bancrofts. The game was not pretty but with a 22- 10 victory under their belt the team realised that much hard work would be imperative if they were to continue in a winning vein. This winning vein would not continue for long as in the closest fought game, we were to lose to a well practiced John Fisher side who, with extra preparation, were ready to beat The Campion School.

The start of the National Schools Cup was to coincide with the beginning of a productive run. St Alban’s were to be our first opponents in the competition. The game will be remembered for Simon Dickinson’s twinkle-toed run down the touch line to secure a comfortable 36-12 victory.

With two more easy wins under our belt we travelled up to the St. Joseph’s festival where Ex Campion coach Mick Marmion now presided. This was to be the turning point of our season. With the Welsh champions, Clantaff up first we knew we would have to raise the standard of rugby to overcome such strong opposition who boasted four Welsh U18 players amongst their ranks.

In a hard-fought match Quick-shoot (Luke Maguire) was to score a last minute try to win the game.

Two games later we were top of the group, after close victories over Arnold School and Bristol Grammar School.

The day was a very enjoyable one for us and was to lead into an interesting evening (just ask Leo).

The new day brought a new challenge in the form of the English Champions, Colston Collegiate School. The Irish Champions, Campbell College and one of the leading English Schools, RGS, High Wycombe. But with the last-minute penalty from fly-half John Brickell we were to overcome High Wycombe.

The Irish Champions were up next and we were to produce the best rugby of the tournament so far with a 38-8 demolition of the Irish side. Leading the group by one point we were to come up against the hardest challenge to date, Colstons, the English Champions.

We threw everything at them but their experience was to tower and Colstons beat us in a very hard fought match 17-7.

The tournament had brought the boys together and showed them that we have the potential to do well.

The weekend had also taken its toll in terms of injuries, but even with a very understrength side and the loss of John Brickell early on in the game we were to win our second game in the National Cup against St. George’s, Harpenden 30-0, all the points coming from Captain, John Skurr.

Now with even more injuries we were to travel up to Gresham’s in Norfolk without several first team players. This was to be our second defeat of the season,

This match sparked a major turnaround in our approach to the game. It saw an eight-match winning run which included comprehensive wins over Coopers and Mill Hill in the National Schools Cup and a toughly fought 15-13 victory over our old rivals St Joseph’s. This was a tremendously physical game and again took its toll in terms of injuries and general wear and tear.

The following Saturday we played Reigate Grammar School where we lost to a so far undefeated Reigate 1st XV. Two weeks later saw us return to our old form as we travelled down to Pangbourne College to play in the quarter-finals of the Daily Mail Cup...

This match saw some of our best rugby of all season and led to a 28-22 victory to lead us into the National semi-finals.

For the third time in four years the pressure was on the 1st XV and we travelled to Castlecroft Stadium to play Kirkham Grammar School from Lancashire. Some 500 supporters travelled up that day, the atmosphere was tense, the support was tremendous. At half-time we led 15-3.

The conditions were certainly to take their toll in the game and despite every brave effort to defend against both the wind and very strong pack from Kirkham we lost 25-15. Despite the disappointment our heads were held high.

We have come so far in the season and played some tremendous rugby but most importantly we came together as a team. Campion rugby is alive and well.

The young pretenders from the Lower Sixth have no doubt learnt a great deal both about the standard of senior rugby in school and the pressures placed upon then in the Daily Mail Cup. Next year...maybe next year we'll see that turf at Twickenham.

For now, we look forward to a successful tour of Singapore and Australia. Or aim - to play the best rugby we possibly can, to make new friends, to enjoy the experience and to remember that rugby is not only a sport but an important way of bringing people together.

Thanks to the lads who have made this a wonderful season. Thanks to the staff who have coached us over many years and to our parents who turn out regularly on a Saturday morning to travel up and down the country to support us.

We'll do our very best for you in Australia - we'll make you proud of us.

John Skurr
1st XV Captain (1996-1997)

Tour report

DEPARTING CAMPION FOR 10TH RUGBY TOUR

SINGAPORE

1st XV - Singapore COMBINED SCHOOLS

Final score: campion 83:0 Singapore COMBINED SCHOOLS (w)

Match Report

2nd XV - ST ANDREWS, SINGAPORE

Final score: campion 41:0 St Andrews School (w)

Match Report

PERTH

1ST XV - Western Australia SCHOOLS u19

2ND XV - Guildford School

FINAL SCORE: CAMPION 14:14 Western Australia SCHOOLS u19 (D)

MATCH REPORT

FINAL SCORE: CAMPION 22:5 Guildford School (W)

MATCH REPORT

CAIRNS