The 1st XV produced their best performance of the season in a tough encounter against Sir Thomas Rich’s school in Gloucester, in the U18 National Cup. The bedrock of the side’s success was their physicality, both when defending and in attack. We dominated a far larger pack and stifled Rich’s efforts to breakout. Aggressive defence, with an intelligent kicking game, which created pressure in the correct parts of the field, combined with a determination and freedom to attack when opportunities presented themselves, meant that the squad came out as 31-14 victors.