My first taste of rugby was at QEH School and as I was one of the bigger lads I found myself scrumming down at Loose-head Prop. I always had a passion for running with the ball though and my football background meant I could kick a bit. In a match versus Kingswood School playing for the 2nd XV I managed to score two tries, which I converted, and kicked a penalty giving us a 17 – 0 first half lead. We went on to win the match 17 – 5, not bad for a prop!
In the Upper Sixth I played every game for the 1st XV including the season highlight game versus Lindisfarne, a touring side from New Zealand and breeding ground for such future internationals as Tane Randell. At 10 & a half stone, soaking wet it was a bit of an eye opener propping down against a 17 & a half stone Kiwi! After this game Mr Broadley, my schoolmaster, suggested I should move out to the backs when I went on to senior rugby, some sound advice!
I have played all my senior rugby for Dings Crusaders RFC except for a year out at Buckinghamshire University. This year included a victorious tour of the USA taking in games against Las Vegas, Arizona, UCSD and San Diego State.
Rugby has allowed me to meet people from all over the world and make friends close to home. It has taught me self-discipline; given me confidence and I’ve had a huge amount of fun along the way. I hope to introduce as many youngsters to rugby as possible in the hope they might get the same level of enjoyment out of the game that I have.
I played cricket throughout my time at QEH and continue to play now for Frenchay CC. Most of my memories of cricket at QEH involve running up the hill and against the wind opening the bowling! The highlight though had to be my 76 and 177-run 3rd wicket partnership versus the staff at the end of the school year! It would have been great to get one over on the schoolmasters but they managed to hold out for a draw. I am really looking forward to developing our after-school cricket clubs and organising some fixtures against other schools in the summer.
I continue to play a variety of sports including, football, basketball, tennis and cricket. I also drag my Dad to the gym twice a week and play snooker to relax, getting my 11th century break last week of 124. I have played Steve Davis and Jimmy White, and managed to beat The Whirlwind!
Good luck to you all in your sporting achievements and have fun!
Jim Buck
Rugby Futures
Mar 2006
I have always had a passion for rugby, however I was a late developer in the game.
Up until the age of 13 I had my sights set on a proffessional tennis career. After reaching the dizzy heights of no. 10 in the country as a junior, representing Great Britain and playing against Tim Henman, I was fairly sure that would be the only sport I would play.
However all that soon changed when I had my first real taste of rugby!
My rugby career started at Sidcot school in the u14 A team where we were unbeaten in my first ever rugby season, not a bad start!!
I then left Sidcot to join Colston's Collegiate school, where to my surprise jumped straight into the U15 A team where we were unbeaten again for the whole season (I thought this rugby business was easy!).
During my time at Colston's I was lucky enough to play alongside Duncan Bell, Lee Mears(currently Bath and England), Jon Pritchard (Bristol and Wales A) and Joe Ewens (Sale and England A). Other current internationals such as Olly Barkelyand Tom Varndell also graduated from Colston's.
After leaving Colston's I then went onto to play senior rugby for Chew Valley and North Bristol RFC. I then retired at the age of 21 due to injury but am really enjoying coaching the players of the future.
Charlie Thompson
Rugby Futures
March 2006
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