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Welsh Rugby Visit
 


Under 12 XVs


Killicomaine's finest

Tyrone Crystal presented to King Henry ref

Thirty seven boys and four teachers from Killicomaine Junior High School experienced the ninth annual rugby tour to King Henry VIIIth school in Abergavenny, near Cardiff in March 2007.
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On arrival, this year's under 12 and under 13 squads were introduced and welcomed by their opposite's family who were to host them for the forthcoming four nights. So with a mixture of excitement and trepidation the Killicomaine pupils were taken off for a night's rest before their visit to the Millennium Stadium the following morning.


Thursday then was spent walking in the footsteps of their heroes at the stadium in Cardiff as both Killicomaine and King Henry squads were guided from the players' changing rooms to the royal box. Even with so much at their fingertips today, the boys could not fail to be impressed by the sheer size and awesome statistics of the venue.
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Leaving Cardiff around midday, both schools were then driven to Newport where they had the opportunity to let off a little steam at the swimming pool. Here some more conscientious players decided to shift focus instead to the upcoming matches of the afternoon against Crickhowell. An hour later this focus was intensified as the Crickhowell squads raced onto the pitches, eager to set an example of Welsh strength to the touring side.
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After two energy sapping halves apiece the Killicomaine boys emerged triumphant, two impressive victories under their belts and dreams of the first ever win on King Henry soil firmly planted in their minds.



Under 13 XVs



Friday saw the local boys experiencing life in the mines at Blaenafon's Big Pit where they were dressed with hard hats and miner's lamps and taken 130 metres down into the depths of Welsh history.

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Friday afternoon had arrived and there was no turning back from the challenge of King Henry on home turf.
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Ryan Calvert's (centre) under 12 XVs and Matthew Davison's (prop) under13 XVs had the weight of expectation on their shoulders as they ran onto the pitches, the chants from the sidelines 'be afraid, be very afraid' echoing in their ears.
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After a disturbingly early try from King Henry in the under 12 match, Matthew McDonald (outhalf) turned the game around only minutes later, scoring both try and conversion to take the score even up to half time. Matthew went on to score two further tries, one of which came from a cleverly stolen ball along with a further conversion. 19-7 with everything to lose. The outhalf then broke quickly away and, tackled five metres from the line, got the ball to captain Ryan Calvert who went on to score the final two tries with Matthew converting one, leaving the final score line at 31-7 to Killicomaine. A jubilant team celebrated the first KJHS victory at King Henry, with Jordan Elliot, hard-working and consistent prop, taking the man of the match ball.


King Henry's Mark Stockham shaking the victorious hand of Killicomaine's Alistair McCaffrey


In white, under 13s man of the match

Centre left, under 12 Man of the match

The under 13s had a more gruelling match against a strong hosting side, with Matthew Gribben (no 8) scoring the only try, to be converted by Michael Busby (outhalf). The match remained at 7-5 to Killicomaine up to half time, with fear building in the minds of King Henry staff! With a combination of tries, one penalty and a conversion though, it was the Welsh who took the final score up to 45-7 leaving Matthew Gribben taking the man of the match ball, King Henry's winger, Luigi Ocampo, proving to be simply too fast and too strong for the local boys.
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After Friday night's celebrations the pupils spent a free day on Saturday with their hosts. Hunting, quad-biking and more rugby of course were enjoyed by some, whilst others experienced the beauty of the surrounding Brecon Beacons.
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The tour complete, memories created and friendships firmly secured, Killicomaine departed in the early hours of Sunday morning, waved on by the ever present warmth and generosity of their Welsh counterparts. A trip to be remembered for its healthy rivalry and good humour, Killicomaine's diary will always have a place for King Henry and this successful touring tradition.



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