The Lambs rounded off their tour of South Africa with an impressive 31-21 win over Stellenbosch Academy.
It could be argued that this would be the Lambs toughest encounter, which also came at the end of a gruelling schedule of four games in a eight days. Off the back of two narrow and heart-breaking loses, but with some excellent performances in the bank, the Lambs headed in with confidence in their ability and their style of rugby.
Going in at half time the lambs were 7-14 down, the try courtesy of Millfield’s Alfie Gibson ,and keeping them in a contest where the second half conditions were likely to suit their running style.
A quick score for Stellenbosch at the start at the 2nd half saw the Lambs go 7-21 down, a score which stirred a comeback from the boys in pink for their last game of the tour and the season.
Millfield’s Alex Smith reduced the deficit before Owen Jones (King’s Macclesfield) completed a full house of a try in every tour game and brought the game to 21-21.
With the momentum swinging the Lambs way and the game breaking up to suit them, they kept the pressure on. Vice-captain Jack Trundley (Wisbech GS) put them ahead before Trent College’s Tom Wilkins sealed the win with his third try of tour. As the final whistle blew at 31-21, overturning a 14 point deficit with half an hour to go, the celebrations ensued for a much deserved victory.
Full Time: ISRFC Lambs 31-21 Stellenbosch Academy
After the final game the team visited Table Mountain and Robben Island before heading to their end of tour dinner and tour awards.
Felsted’s George Whalley claimed the prestigious Lamb of the Tour award, given to the player best embodying the Lambs’ spirit. Reed’s Oli Tack meanwhile took home the captain’s Player of the Tour award while King’s Macclesfield’s Angus Fiennes was named Players’ Player of the Tour.
Try of the Tour went to Felsted’s Tyler Tomlinson, vice captain on the trip, after he finished off a wonderful team effort against Graeme College in the Lambs’ final game of the opening stint of the tour at the Kingswood International Festival.
The South Africa Tour rounds off the season for the Lambs. As ever it has given those involved some great experiences and no doubt memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. For those looking in from the outside though, attention quickly turns to the excitement of next year’s crop of ‘Fast and Free’ adventurers.
Lambs Tour Awards:
‘Lamb’ of the Tour – George Whalley (Felsted)
Breakthrough Player – Tom Wilkins (Trent College)
The Captains Award – Owen Jones (Kings Macclesfield)
Captain’s Player – Oli Tack (Reeds School)
Players’ Player – Angus Fiennes (Kings Macclesfield)
Forward of the Tour – Lochlan Dudley (Stamford)
Back of the Tour – Alessandro Aliberti (Shebbear)
Try of the Tour – Tyler Tomlinson (Felsted) v Graeme College