The School and the Old Suttonians have long hoped to reintroduce Rugby onto the OS calendar and, as such, we were delighted to be able to offer a programme of events on Saturday 10 November 2019 that once again saw OS teams running out onto Stoney.

Finding a format that would allow competitive play between alumni and pupils was the obvious challenge, but through the help of Old Suttonian Richard Mant (1961 M), we reintroduced a kicking form of the game that was played regularly at SVS during the 1950s and 1960s. 

‘Gaining Ground’ is a form of Rugby which tests positioning on the pitch, speed around the pitch, reading the game, fitness and one’s ability to catch and kick. The object is to push the opposition back into their half with astute kicking, to pin them down in their 22 and then kick for goal to win the game. Its lack of physical contact also allows it to comply with the RFU’s guidelines on alumni versus pupil matches.

Played across two ten-minute halves, the match itself was fast-paced and, although the rules (for reference listed opposite) took both sides a while to come to terms with, the game eventually sprung into life. The OS team consisted of Guy Backhouse (2016 F), Patrick Backhouse (2016 F), Patrick Beech (2017 M), Michael Law (2018 C, Staff 2019-), Tom Lennard (2016 H), Max Rossiter (2017 M), Gareth Thomas (2018 F), James Turner (2016 W), Jacob Wilkinson (2017 C) and Toby Wilkinson (2015 C). 

Once the game was over, the OS watched as the School’s 1st XV took on a  strong Caterham School XV in a fiery encounter. Sutton Valence eventually won the match 22-17. The day finished with a dinner in Groves Hall for the OS and current pupils. Many thanks to everyone who made the day possible, not least Richard Mant (1961 M) for his vision and enthusiasm to make the fixture happen, Tim Cope (Staff 2013-2019), for refereeing the game and John Devine for the dinner. We look forward to next year’s fixture.