Category: Rugby
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Why Do We Play? – Hampton Rugby First XV Season Review
By Will Olsen If you’re the All Blacks, dominant seasons are the norm. If you’re Italy, heartbreak is what you expect. But for most of us there’s a moderate middle ground, and that prompts an interesting question. Why do we play? Is it the lifelong bond with teammates, the drive to reach the top, or…
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Academy Rugby : What does it take?
By Will Olsen What does it take? A question pondered by hundreds of thousands of athletes every day. Is it the grit and determination of Muhammad Ali, the relentless willpower that drove Michael Phelps to 23 gold medals, or the fierce competitiveness that carried Rory McIlroy to a career grand slam and back-to-back Masters victories?…
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Miss Turner: England, Harlequins and Hanworth Road
By Felix Payne and Jack Morris Earlier this year, we were very lucky to welcome Miss Turner as an amazing new rugby coach. She has had a stellar career in the sport, earning 59 caps for England and playing in 2 Rugby World Cups, before she ended her rugby journey with Harlequins before retiring in…
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MND In Sport : An Intervention
By Arthur Hanna Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive, and fatal, neurological condition which affects motor neurones in the brain and spinal cord. These nerves control essential day-to-day muscle activity. Early symptoms include a weakened grip, more frequent falls, and muscle cramps. As the disease progresses, speech can become slurred, you can have difficulty…
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Leverett hat-trick inspires Hampton U13A masterclass
By Arthur Hanna The Hampton rugby players woke up on the 17th of January knowing they were about to face Merchant Taylor’s school at home on the beautiful, mowed pitches outside Hampton School. These two sides had never met before this game so understandably, both team were unsure how the other would play. Hampton walked onto…
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Hampton and St John’s share points in thrilling contest
By Felix Payne On Saturday 6th December, the U12s rugby A team went up against a strong St John’s Leatherhead side at home. Hampton didn’t start the match with the intensity that would have liked, and St John’s nearly made some early breakthroughs. Thomas Fulford, under great pressure and on his own try-line, kicked a perfect…
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How the Red Roses have changed the game
By Felix Payne This year was one to remember for the England women’s rugby team. After 5 weeks of grit and determination, England came away with the biggest prize and honour in the sport: to be crowned world champions. This was a massive achievement for the players and all the staff behind the scenes, but…
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Hampton U12s run rampant in Friday frenzy
By Felix Payne On Friday, Hampton U12s played a home game against Caterham school. The first five minutes was very close, and Caterham nearly scored before Hampton took the lead with a try from Benny Bradley in the corner. Hampton gained momentum, scoring three more tries in quick succession, before Lawrence Schmidt made a great run…
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The Lynagh Brothers
By Felix Payne I first came across the Lynagh brothers when I saw a picture of Louis in the corridor, alongside a poster saying that he played for Harlequins. I remember being so amazed that less than a year ago, he was at this school. I was very interested in him, and when I saw…
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Sport after Hampton: Freddie Skinner
By Arun Crowe Sport and Hampton are almost synonymous. Every pupil gets the chance to represent the school in a number of different sports throughout their time in gold and black, with the wealth of opportunities not just displayed alongside academics, but rather used to complement and enrich them. However, not everyone out on those…
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Half term sport: England vs Australia
By Sam Greaney Although the half term brought with it a break from Hampton sport, Sam Greaney didn’t let that halt his journalism endeavours, as he watches and reports on the England vs Australia Quilter Nations Series match: The Allianz stadium was ready for an amazing game of test match rugby. Things started off slowly,…
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U13Bs earn first win in thrilling derby
By Arthur Hanna On the morning of the 11th of October, Hampton’s U13 rugby players woke up knowing that they were about to take on local rivals, Halliford. The boys arrived at 8:45 am and went through some warmup drills, including passing, tackling, also plays that they planned to use in the game. The U13B team…
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Double hits hat-trick in big away win
By Sam Greaney Hampton U12As rugby squad travelled to Cobham ready to battle for a win against Halliford. The game started off very well for Hampton with Lawrence Schmidt clattering over the line to score Hampton’s first try of the game, but after this, Halliford had a very good chance to score, although Hampton defended…
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Hampton U12s Make Big Statement with Three Important Wins
By Lewie Green On the afternoon of Friday 10th October, three united Hampton teams disembarked from the coach with a mission to accomplish against local rivals Halliford, at the opposition’s home ground. U12As Match Report: Hampton, after winning the toss, chose to kick to Halliford to start the match, and this immediately proved effective as…
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U13Bs record thrilling draw and disappointing loss in triangular fixture
By Arthur Hanna The Hampton rugby players woke up on the 4th of October knowing that they were about to make the 40 minute drive to Reigate Grammar School to play them and St George’s. Hampton arrived slightly late and quickly got changed into boots, took their tracksuits off and put their mouthguards in ready to…
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Hampton secure close win against St Benedict’s
By Felix Payne On Friday 3rd October Hampton came up against St Benedict’s, a renowned rugby school. Hampton had a great start to the match, and without wasting any time, Finlay Clay scored a great try in the corner. Hampton had lots of momentum and threatened to score another, but St Benedict’s came back and ran…
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Resilient Hampton defence undone by second-half thrashing
By Arthur Hanna For a few, the first match of the season. For most, a match to forget. It was Saturday 20th September. The day of open day and the U13 rugby teams were keen to show parents what their child might enjoy in a first taste of Hamptonsports. Hampton kicked off and they started well, making their tackles, hitting their rucks and running…
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U12Bs Begin Rugby Season With Convincing Win
By Felix Payne It was on Saturday 20 September that the Under 12 Rugby Bs had their first fixture against RGS. It was a bit of a tough start, as Hampton were running up the slope, and they had not yet mastered the wet and slippery conditions. There were too many fumbles, and Hampton found…
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U12A’s first fixture finishes in hard-fought loss
By Thomas Fulford The U12A’s first Hampton rugby fixture at home to St Paul’s was an extremely exciting game, going right down to the wire. Hampton’s skill in attack was strong, but St Paul’s displayed a worthy defence, and ultimately emerged on top with a 3-2 win in a well-fought game. However, Hampton never gave…
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Hampton First XV complete remarkable comeback to beat KCS Wimbledon 22-19 in the National Cup
By Will Squire Hampton First XV began their National Cup campaign well with a home win against KCS Wimbledon in the second round of the National Cup, following a bye in the first round. The local side gave a good account of themselves, but it was Hampton who would come out victorious in a tightly…
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Hampton Third XV kick-off season with a close win over Brighton College
By Ben Robinson In the always hotly contested game against Brighton College on Thursday, the Hampton Third XV came out on top by two points thanks to a match winning intercept try from Alastair White and a missed conversion from Brighton. Hampton started the match well with two early tries from Monty Nendick and Max…
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Lynagh remains unbeaten as Italy dominate faltering Wales
By Harry McLusky Two caps, two wins for Louis Lynagh OH (2019) as Gonzalo Quesada’s Italian revolution marched on with an assured 21-24 triumph over a below-par Wales side. A second consecutive Six Nations victory for the Azzurri meant they dodged their 19th Wooden Spoon since 2000 and ensured Wales’s winless run went on. Cardiff’s…
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Debut Delight: Lynagh delivers in historic Italy victory
By Harry McLusky Italy have recorded a historic Six Nations victory over Scotland, as Gli Azzurri earnt a deserved 31-29 win against the backdrop of a roaring sea of home supporters at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Louis Lynagh OH (2019) performed exquisitely in what turned out to be a dream debut for the Italy-born…
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Louis Lynagh to receive first Italy cap against Scotland
By Harry McLusky Louis Lynagh OH (2019) has been handed his first start for Italy ahead of this weekend’s Six Nations fixture against Scotland. Despite being called up by Eddie Jones for a training camp with the England national team in 2021, the 23-year-old switched his allegiance earlier this year and was called up to…
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1st VII begin season with plate victory at Hampton 7s tournament
By Harry McLusky Wednesday’s wet and windy weather set the perfect playing conditions for Hampton’s 1st VII’s opening fixtures of the 2023/24 season as the side hosted the annual Hampton Founders’ Day Sevens tournament. The hosts left it late but James Abrahart’s golden try secured silverware for the hosts, with the winger diving over the…
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Louis Lynagh OH to join Benetton in 2024-25 season
By Harry McLusky Louis Lynagh OH (2019) will join Italian rugby side, Benetton Treviso, for the 2024-25 season. Having moved from Italy at the age of four, Lynagh joined Harlequins at the age of thirteen, making his Premiership Rugby debut in 2020 in a 26-32 win over Leicester Tigers. Since then, he has racked up…
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Entertaining match gives U12Bs their first rugby win of the season
By Rey Jaiswal Jogging onto the 3G pitches, I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists as I set my eyes on the match ahead. This battle was against Caterham School in the later part of Friday afternoon. The rugby U12B team hadn’t won a proper match yet, so we were determined to make it…
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1st XV Overcome Injury Woes to Finish 7th at St Jo’s
By Harry McLusky and Sam Ho The pinnacle of any school’s rugby season, St Joseph’s Festival brings together 16 1st XVs from across the country in an epic two-day showdown between some of the best teams in the UK. Starting with the group stages on Saturday 21 October, teams would be filtered into four different…
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U12As defeated by strong Epsom College rugby side
By Alex Pheasant All of the U12s got on the coach to travel to Epsom College away. We knew this was going to be a tough game, so we had been training hard in preparation for the match. When we arrived, we got changed into the Hampton colours (black and yellow) and ran out onto…
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My First Ever Rugby Game at Hampton
By Reyansh Jaiswal The U12 Rugby A and B teams had their first ever school match on Saturday 23rd September, hopefully the first of many to come over the next few years. On the morning of the game, the teams boarded the coach with a sense of pride and determination to represent Hampton. Everyone was…
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Hampton Captains Series: Cameron Hill
By Arun Crowe What are the main responsibilities of being a captain? There’s quite a lot, obviously you’ve got to look out for your teammates and your peers, make sure everyone gets to where they need to be on time, those off the pitch kind of things – turning up to training early, just making…
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Hampton TALK: Louis and Michael Lynagh in conversation with Will Kelleher
By Harry McLusky Hampton School’s ‘TALK!’ program has seen speakers from all backgrounds standing on the stage of the Hammond Theatre and sharing their experiences with boys and parents alike. From politics to journalism, to medicine and rugby, the opportunities offered by the program are invaluable. However, one event particularly stood out to me personally.…
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Solid start for the U13A rugby team
By Jake O’Reilly On the 1 October 2022, the Hampton U13 A rugby team took to the field against St George’s Weybridge and secured their much needed first win. When the opening whistle blew, the ball was sent into the air and landed into Hampton hands. From there, the ball ebbed and flowed from each…
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Mr Beattie: Old Boy brings New Impetus
By Tom Oliver On 29 May 2004, Mr Andy Beattie walked out in front of 59,000 spectators onto the hallowed turf of Twickenham. His Bath side, the side he had started every league match for that season, were set to take on Wasps for the Premiership title. Perhaps it was fitting that the greatest occasion…
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Floyd Steadman: Trailblazing Rugby Star
By Arun Crowe, Omer Olcer and Alex Watson With an illustrious career of 469 matches for top Rugby Union side Saracens, and many years spent working at some of England’s top schools, Floyd Steadman is a role model for both aspiring rugby players and hard-working pupils alike. Now a governor at Hampton School, Mr Steadman…
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First XV hang on for tense 12-11 victory against Henley
By Tom Ketel Following their win against Dulwich in the Schools Cup, the Hampton First XV took on an athletic Henley College side in a match of great intensity. There was a quick start from the away side with their dominance in the scrum paying off with the seizing of two penalties to put them…
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First XV continue tremendous cup run to make it to the last 16 of the Schools Cup
By Tom Ketel On a wet and windy November day, Hampton’s First XV took on their oldest rivals, Dulwich College, in the round of 32 in the NatWest Schools Cup. The game started strongly with Nico Luckman finishing off an elegant backs move to dot the ball over underneath the sticks. Ethan Knight easily secured…
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Assured start for Benson in Quins debut
By Sam Colvine Jamie Benson OH (2021) made his Harlequins debut in a Premiership Rugby Cup match against Saracens that finished in a 28-21 defeat. The 2020-21 Captain of Rugby and Harlequins Academy graduate converted all his kicks from fly-half. Benson looked sharp in attack on his debut as he steered the South West London…
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Lynagh earns England call-up for Autumn Test Series
By Sam Colvine Harlequins star, Louis Lynagh OH (2019), has been added to the England squad for this weekend’s first Autumn Test match against Tonga. Lynagh, who excelled as Hampton’s Captain of Rugby in the 2018-19 season, has enjoyed an impressive start to his professional career with two late tries in the Premiership final at…
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Hampton First XV denied silverware at St Jo’s after unbeaten group performance
By Sam Colvine After a COVID-induced hiatus, the First XV finally returned to St Joseph’s College to participate in school rugby’s pre-eminent tournament: the National Schools Rugby Festival. Seeking to replicate the successes of the teams of 2015, 2016 and 2018, who all garnered silverware at this prestigious event, a strong squad set off for…
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OH Louis Lynagh signs Harlequins contract extension
Harlequins academy star, Louis Lynagh OH (2019), today signed a contract extension with the Gallagher Premiership side, confirming his long-term future in South-west London.
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From Twickenham Stadium to Hampton School: History teacher Dr Dixon talks rugby to HSC
By James Eggleton | From the Hampton History department to the corridors of Cambridge and playing at Twickenham, Dr Dixon’s past is an amazing story. The Cambridge rugby player found his love for rugby at the age of 12 years old, his main attribute being his strength. However, his passion for rugby never got in…
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Former Captain of Rugby Louis Lynagh makes Premiership Rugby debut for Harlequins
By Josh Bartholomew Louis Lynagh OH (2019), Hampton’s Captain of Rugby in the 2018-19 season, made his Premiership Rugby debut from the substitutes’ bench on Sunday in a 26-32 win over Leicester Tigers, replacing Aaron Morris after 45 minutes. Lynagh, who played for England U18, was challenged with the task of tackling Fijian winger Nemani…
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Hampton’s Greatest Sporting Moments: Alex Lundberg wins U20 World Championship
It’s time for Moment Three of Group Eight as the knockout stages near – today we’re looking back on Alex Lundberg OH (2013)’s victory with England at the U20 World Championship. Vote in our Twitter poll on Friday to decide your favourite moments – the winner will progress to the quarter-final stage! When England’s U20…
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Hampton’s Greatest Sporting Moments: Seb Jewell makes Premiership Rugby debut
HSC’s Hampton’s Greatest Sporting Moments series is into Group Seven, and the competition is continuing apace. This piece tells the story of Seb Jewell OH (2006) and his Premiership Rugby debut. This will compete against three other moments in Group Seven. Vote in our Twitter poll on Friday to decide your favourite moments – the…
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Hampton’s Greatest Sporting Moments: Amor and Beattie star for England U18
We’re onto Group Six, and the Hampton’s Greatest Sporting Moments competition is heating up. This piece recounts 1998, where two Hamptonians were selected to travel to Australia with the England U18s. This will compete against three other moments in Group Six. Vote in our Twitter poll on Friday to decide your favourite moments – the…
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Hampton’s Greatest Sporting Moments: First XV reach Daily Mail Vase final
Over the next term, HSC will be attempting to discover the identity of Hampton’s Greatest Sporting Moment, with your help. This article recounts the First XV’s trip to the Daily Mail RBS Vase final in 2009. This will compete against three other moments in Group Five. Vote in our Twitter poll on Friday to decide…
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Hampton’s Greatest Sporting Moments: First XV duo face-off in International U19 match
Over the next term, HSC will be attempting to discover the identity of Hampton’s Greatest Sporting Moment, with your help. This article recounts the rare occurence of two First XV players coming up against each other on the international stage. This will compete against three other moments in Group Three. Vote in our Twitter poll…
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Hampton’s Greatest Sporting Moments: Amor’s Silver Medal
Over the next term, HSC will be attempting to discover the identity of Hampton’s Greatest Sporting Moment, with your help. This article looks back on Simon Amor’s Olympic Silver medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. This will compete against three other moments in Group Two. Vote in our Twitter poll on Friday to decide…
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Hampton’s Greatest Sporting Moments: First XV win St. Joseph’s Festival
Over the next term, HSC will be attempting to discover the identity of Hampton’s Greatest Sporting Moment, with your help. This article details the First XV’s victory at the St. Joseph’s Festival in 2015, and will compete against three other moments in Group One. Vote in our Twitter poll on Friday to decide your favourite…