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World Schools Festival Day 3 Review: Hamilton on high
By Tom Parker
The finals day of the World Schools Festival in Thailand brought an incredible standard of open, running rugby which was a testament to the exciting style of play in the schools' game.
We will go through every game in the closing stages of the tournament.
Odyssey XV vs RTA - Open Tournament
Both of these invitational sides put in hugely impressive performances over the three days, with the teams sharing the spoils in a three-tie contest against both of the sides. The Fijians from Odyssey wowed the crowd at the Pattana Stadium with their mazy runs and clever handling skills, whilst the Rugby Travel Academy impressed with their powerful forward pack which has become synonymous with South African rugby.
Ultimately, Odyssey proved too good in this final match and they deservedly came out as champions in this clash.
Result RTA 12 - 15 Odyssey XV 15
Trinity vs RTA
Trinity went into this tournament with an incredibly difficult tie against the favourites from South Africa, Grey College. After narrowly losing that game, the competition has led them to this stage, taking on another team from the rainbow nation, who they narrowly edged.
Trinity 43 - 7 RTA
St Michael’s vs Sedbergh - Shield Final
The premier sides in England and Ireland came to blows in the final of the shield competition. An incredible 60m kick from talented future England star Ben Redshaw helped the men in brown pull away from the Dublin side.
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Result Sedbergh 27 - 19 St Michael's
Millfield vs Cardiff and Vale College Cup 3rd/4th playoff
Cardiff repeatedly shocked and impressed rugby fans from around the world during the World Schools Festival, and today was a similar story as they went toe to toe with the top side in England in 2022. Both sides were only separated by a few points until the pressure told in the final 10 minutes as Millfield powered over in the corner. A perfectly angled kick from the touchline helped Millfield earn a last gasp victory, a common theme in this festival.
Grey College vs Hamilton Boys
The concluding match to the showpiece in Thailand was as frenetic and fast-paced as every schools rugby fan imagined it would be. There had been much build-up before the final, with many unsure on how the physical style of Grey and the open style of Hamilton would play out. The opening 30 minutes of the game proved to be as attritional as some predicted, with both sides failing to find a chink in their opponent's armour. However, the second half was when the champions of 1st XV rugby in New Zealand showed their class as they ran in four tries against the resilient young men from Bloemfontein.
Result Grey 10 - 22 Hamilton
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Latest Comments
Excellent year. I have enjoyed the Pumas with every match they played. They are truly one of the top tier nations and with more growth they will push hard for top 3 world ranking. They are just a bit up and down like the French team of old.
Go to commentsFunny that I read this after watching last night's game where Matera packed down at openside every signle time. Jaguares also used to play with OS/BS flankers when he was with them. Of course, if he's at 8 or not involved, Pumas could do it the French way and put, let's say, Kremer on the right and Golzalez on the left. You're correct about Matera's tenure at Crusaders where he was mainly used at blindside but also at #8 on occasion as far as I remember. He has the frame and skillset to play whichever back row position he's put at, much like Ardie or Jack Willis or Pocock.
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