Argentina Rugby Tour 2011 Blog

The Glenalmond Rugby Tour to Argentina takes place 11-28 July 2011 and is the result of months of planning, training and fundraising. The itinerary includes five matches, and visits to Buenos Aires, Tandil, Monte Calvario, Mar del Plata, Iguazu Falls and a Gaucho Ranch on the Pampas - with plenty of training thrown in!

The boys will keep us updated with this blog of their trip, which will be updated regularly.

The latest version of the is available as a downloadable pdf.

We would like to thank all our sponsors and advertisers, who are listed at the bottom of this page.

The Blog

Tuesday 27^th July

As I sit and write today's entry I think to myself that the ending to our tour couldn't have finished any better. A fairy tale ending to an incredible few weeks.

Today's victory over La Plata rugby club was the defining moment of our unbelievable trip. From the early days of the tour we knew that this last game would contain the players seen as Glenalmond's 1^st XV and today it really did show.

The journey has not been easy. Finding those 15 players has proved challenging.

From unprecedented hospitality at North Hills in Buenos Aries and Los Cardos rugby club in Tandil where the players experienced roller coaster rides on the pitch with new players being blooded to the tough times down in Mar Del Plata where our strong XV blew the opposition away, all 26 players have really had a go at claiming their jersey.

Even the one point loss to a good side last week, which was the moment of the tour for me, with a supposed weaker 'Coll' XV really showed the steely determination and desire for the Glenalmond 1^st XV jersey.

The tour has been a learning curve for both coaches and players and leaves in a great position for the season ahead. The experiences and memories that we take with us as we leave this beautiful country will never be forgotten.

Friends have been made both on and off the field, both inside and outside the squad and this place is certainly somewhere that we will need to return to.

The Iguazu falls, the Mar Del Plata beach front, Mount Calvary, Buenos Aries city from the sky. These are just some of the memories we will be taking with us.

It was a long time coming this tour, lots of hype and lots of expectation. In almost every way it hasn't been a let-down.

Its 10 o'clock here. I think that leaves plenty of time for another court session and more celebrations.

We leave Argentina having left a great impression for the school.

Glenalmond is finally on its way home.

Finlay MacLeod (Patchell's U6th)

Match report 5

La Plata RFC 19 - Glenalmond College 43

What a great way to finish the tour! With a whirlwind start to the game Glenalmond produced a first half of stunning rugby to completely outplay their more physical opponents. The bold decision to move Macleod on to the wing in order to accommodate O'Dwyer and switching Fenton to full back paid immediate dividends. In a fast paced and open first thirty five minutes Glenalmond were clinical on turn over ball and scored several excellent tries. Flowing movements led to two tries apiece for Fenton, Macleod and Carmichael as a shell shocked La Plata struggled to contain the Coll side. The second half was a much closer affair as La Plata began to impose themselves on a tiring Coll team. A great defensive effort in the second half combined with Macleod's hat trick really capped off a memorable tour.

The group have come a long way in the last three weeks and as a result of the trip, the season ahead looks to be an exciting one, not only for the 1^st XV but also the 2nds.

HGT

Monday 26^th July

We woke late in the morning to more beautiful, sunny weather in Iguazu. We then spent the morning relaxing and had a light training session to keep things ticking over.

After lunch we said goodbye to Iguazu after a pleasant stay and an unbelievable experience and caught our flight back to Buenos Aries. As we came in to land we were privileged to witness a spectacular view over the city with clear skies just before the storm hit.

Upon arrival the heavens opened up again. Thunderstorms and so much spontaneous rain caused the streets to flood and we hurried into the reception of our hotel.

With our short holiday over we were quickly back into our match day preparations. Dinner and an early bed followed in preparation for the game tomorrow.

Breaking News!

The following side has been selected as the strongest available XV for our last game on tour.

15. Fenton (Capt)

14. Macleod

13. Carmichael

12. O'Dwyer

11. Straengh

10. Winton (Vice-Capt)

9. Stover

1. Winnington Ingram

2. Strachan

3. Orr Ewing

4. Robertson

5. Meikle

6. Reynolds (Vice-Capt)

7. Sandison

8. Wainwright

16. Wise 17. McCleery

18. Webster 19. Lindemann

20. Davies

Sunday 24^th July

Very few words can describe today's trip to the Iguazu falls. Beautiful, awesome and breath-taking barely even scratch the surface.

The tour started on a trek to the 'Devil's Throat' which required walking for about a kilometre across the river at the top of the falls. We arrived at the balconies that peered over the throat and were covered in showers of spray from the pools below and the constant sound of crashing water. This cued the picture taking as we stood at one of the world's most unique and impressive viewpoints.

We then headed down to the second view point which required a train journey and another kilometre trek. This path headed along the side of the falls and stopped just before meaning we could peer out across and soak up the entire view as opposed to our adrenaline pumping view from the top earlier in the morning.

Then it was time for our boat trip to the base of the falls. We all strapped on our life jackets and headed up-stream through the raging rapids that were spewed out by the falls.

Towering cliffs of white and brown water plummeted into the cloudy pools below as we sat at the jagged v-shaped cut in the Earth's surface. It was then time to move in closer and the whole boat was soaked from head to toe by the showers from above as we sat only metres away from the cliff face.

An amazing experience that seemed out of this world had come to an end and the soaked Glenalmond team then headed back to the top for lunch. 26 boys sat with beaming faces and exchanged stories from the experience they couldn't quite believe had just occurred before heading back to the hotel for another relaxing afternoon in the sun.

A meeting at seven this evening to announce the team for Tuesday before heading out to supper and then a lie-in tomorrow morning seem like perfect news to me after a day that we will all never forget.

Finlay MacLeod (Patchell's Upper 6^th)

Saturday 23^rd July

Upon arrival in Iguazu the team quickly realised that the early start and flight were well worth the beauty that stood before us. Pleasant weather, a delightful hotel and as always very hospitable people were there to meet us upon arrival.

The players headed into the town centre to find lunch and were greeted with more pleasant people with markets, shops and restaurants and the usual chanting of "Escocia" from the local children as we passed through.

The rest of the afternoon involved lounging around by the pool and relaxing to kick off our well deserved three day break from rugby. The evening then followed with a meal at one of the local restaurants and a required early night as we would be getting up at the crack of dawn again the next morning.

Very good first impressions of Iguazu so far. Anticipation and excitement surrounds the squad before our trip to the falls tomorrow morning.

Friday 22^nd July

Today's fixture against Cuba rugby club was a mid-afternoon kick off and this meant that the boys were at leisure to do what they wanted in the city centre.

The local launderette was bombarded with the 26 boys' laundry with the request of it all being done in 3 hours much to the annoyance of the owner. However after some sweet talking by our Spanish translators he was able to assist.

After a long wait for the bus that was stuck in a gridlocked Buenos Aries we headed to the Cuba Rugby Club on the edge of the city. Another impressive looking rugby club with a striking club house and pitches along with warm, welcoming people.

A confident Cuba fan base, who believed that the weakened 'Coll' XV would be no match for their strong side, were blasted by 'Highland Cathedral' as the team ran out of the tunnel and onto the pitch.

A determined 'Coll' side were incredibly impressive in defeat, only losing by a single point in the dying seconds of the match clearly showing just how far the players have come. Similar players who were struggling at the start of tour have really turned it around to compete for 1^st XV places in the fast approaching season.

Unlucky to lose but a lot to take from a game that can only make the players stronger meant that morale remained high in defeat. Socialising with the opposite team and a sing along of 'Oh Flower of Scotland' with the pipes by the boys in the club house afterwards was kindly appreciated by the Cuban players.

Off to supper now before an early start for our much anticipated trip to Iguazu Falls in the morning.

Finlay MacLeod (Patchell's U6th)

Match report

CUBA 34 Glenalmond College 33

What a great game! Development was certainly a key part of this tour and today's performance certainly delivered on that front. On paper we had selected an inexperienced side with only three players having previously represented the XV. Once again we started slowly and went two scores behind. A spirited come back was led by the impressive Stover (P) from scrum half. Several sniping runs and some good game management allowed us to strike back. The game ebbed and flowed for much of the remaining half and despite an impressive period from Coll, we were still adrift at half time. The second half followed a similar pattern and finished with real excitement. Two late tries from Coll saw them take the lead for the first time in the game with only two minutes remaining on the clock. Unfortunately for us the impressive CUBA scrum half managed to force his way over in injury time to seal victory.

Despite obvious disappointment from the result, this game was a real turning point for many. The young side were impressive throughout and really showed how far they had come over the last few weeks. Lindemann (G) and O'Dwyer (M) were excellent and really put their hand up for selection on Tuesday. As a coaching team we couldn't have been happier with today's performance. If the guys can finish off with another god performance on Tuesday, the rugby element of the tour will have been a real success story.

Tries Cons

Lindemann x 2 Gaffney x 4

Winnington Ingram

O'Dwyer

Cameron

15. Davies

14. Crosthwaite

13. Bodie

12. O'Dwyer

11. Gaffney

10. Cameron

9. Stover (Fenton 65 mins)

1. Smith Maxwell

2. Wise

3. Orr Ewing (Winnington-Ingram 45 mins)

4. Lindemann

5. Robertson (Meikle 45 mins)

6. Webster

7. Wainwright (Strachan 45 mins)

8. Ambler

Thursday 21^st July

We were up early again this morning for a long coach trip back to Buenos Aries. Tired bodies stumbled out of the reception as we were sent off by a stunning view across the Mar Del Plata beach.

Upon arrival in Buenos Aries we immediately went straight to St. Georges School, one of only two boarding schools in the Buenos Aries area. Lush pitches lay before us and the team for the match the next day reaped the benefits with a good training session.

The announcement then came that tomorrows match against prestigious Buenos Aries club Belgrano would be changed to a match against Cuba Rugby Club. However this did not affect the boys' preparation and they looked in fine form for the approaching match.

We then travelled into the city centre to check into our new hotel and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon. Supper was then arranged at the nearby pizzeria and an early night was required in preparation for tomorrow's fixture.

Wednesday 20^th July

Todays match was another post lunch kick off and this meant that we could spend the morning at leisure in our new impressive hotel. Late breakfasts and relaxing swims in preparation for the match were very welcoming.

The weather was stunning and the Mar Del Plata beach was admired in all its glory this morning as we headed to the rugby club.

We had yet to win on tour and a strong team was put out to face the Argentinians. Somehow the pitch had dried up from yesterdays downpour and the players warmed up in a very focused manner knowing that expectation would be high come kick off.

A great win was executed in great style. Exultation is a good word to describe how the players are feeling at the moment. Our trip to Mar Del Plate has been tough off the pitch and morale has been low on the pitch.

Great performances today have shown the dogged determination of the players. Finally things are back on the up again.

Court session tonight in the hotel. Charlie Winton watch out, you're in for a toasting.

And finally Happy Birthday Dougie Wainwright.

It's been a great day at the office.

Finlay MacLeod (Patchells U6th)

Match Report

Universitario 0 Glenalmond College 65

After a difficult 24 hours it was great to wake to another wonderfully sunny morning in Argentina. With a strong side selected and the squad desperate for a win we approached this game with a great sense of determination. The side performed extremely well today against a very physical Universitario side. The score line suggests a one sided match, but this couldn't be further from the truth as Coll were made to work hard for every piece of possession. The side played with a real sense of focus and application and it was most pleasing to see a great deal of improvement in terms of performance. Some fantastic tries were created in attack and some impressive defence led to several turn over tries. With ten different try scorers today it certainly proved to be a great team performance. On to BA for game four!

HGT

Try scorers Cons

McCleery Macleod x 5

Macleod Fenton x 1

Carmichael

Fenon

Robertson

Sandison x 2

Strachan

Winnington Ingram

Straengh

Gaffney

15. Cameron (Davies 35 mins)

14. McCleery

13. Macleod

12. Carmichael (O'Dwyer 55 mins)

11. Straengh (Gaffney 60 mins)

10. Winton (Vice Capt)

9. Fenton (Capt)

1. Winnington Ingram

2. Strachan (Wise 60 mins)

3. Orr Ewing (Smith - Maxwell 60 mins)

4. Robertson (Ambler 55 mins)

5. Meikle

6. Reynolds(Vice-Capt)

7. Sandison

8. Wainwright

Tuesday 19^th July

Every tour has its bad day and today was most certainly 'Coll's bad day. We woke to pouring rain outside our hotel. The night before we had been informed that we would not be hosted and this still frustrated the players and coaches.

Our hotel was below standard to say the least and this fuelled our misery along with the weather trying to drag our spirits down. Training was postponed until the afternoon in the hope that the weather would pick up.

However it did not and we headed to the Universitario de Mar Del Plata rugby club for lunch and a training session. We were not met by the team when we arrived but there was a lunch provided for the whole squad.

As we ate alone in the dark (by this time the power had cut) we were then informed that we would not be allowed to train on the pitches.

Eventually a training session was organised on the all-weather surface and we headed out in the rain to get a quick session run through with the team for the next day.

A quick exit post training was followed by a shopping session and then the news that we would be moving hotel. This was met with much agreement from all the players and we headed off to our new 5 star hotel on the beautiful Mar Del Plata beach front!

Supper was then organised along with an early night in preparation for tomorrows match.

Monday 18th July

We again woke to a cold morning in Tandil as the temperature is certainly starting to get cooler as the tour goes on. We arrived at the Los Cardos clubhouse once again and had a new approach to a training session.

The adoption of a traffic light technique in our training session measures the intensity of our training with green being called for a light intensity, amber medium and red full intensity. This new technique saw a focused and good recovery from our loss at the weekend.

We then had lunch at a local restaurant and got on the road for the long journey to Mar Del Plata on the east coast of Argentina.

Upon arrival we checked into our new hotel but were unfortunately met with the sad news that we would not be hosted for the next two nights. This meant that we would no longer be hosted on the tour and the accommodation would be in hotels. This of course was glum news for the boys.

Exploring our new city was next on the agenda for a couple of hours and then we headed out for a delicious fish supper for a change rather than the usual Argentinian red meat!

BuenasNoches

Finlay MacLeod (Patchells U6th)

Sunday 17^th July

A much required lie-in was given to the squad on Sunday morning. We then met at the Los Cardos clubhouse during the late hours of the morning and said goodbye and thank you to our second host families.

A long team meeting was then held to discuss the events of the day before and how we felt the tour was going as a whole.

Critical, constructive and positive feedback was given and all the boys spoke up on how they felt. This overall had a great effect. Morale had been lifted by this and by the enjoyable night before and we then had a pleasant lunch in the wonderful clubhouse dining room.

No rugby was played on our day off and we headed into Tandil for some sight-seeing. An impressive statue of a crucified Jesus on Mount Calvary towered over us and was astriking backdrop for another 'Stover Stat'. Banter flew around as the boys enjoyed each other's company and put the result behind them.

We then headed to our hotel in Tandil in the late afternoon and rested and wandered around the city before heading out to supper in the evening, only our second meal together as a squad on our own on tour. A nice relaxing evening and an early bed were warmly welcomed, and needed, before our trip to Mar Del Plata the next day.

Saturday 16^th July

We rose to a crisp, cold morning in Tandil, 400km south of Buenos Aries. Expectations were high and players were ready to get onto the pitch for the first time on tour.

We arrived at the clubhouse early in the morning for an intense training session to prepare for the afternoon kick off. We were given the privilege of training on the main pitch in front of a small crowd of spectators and the players began to focus on the task that lay ahead.

A gruellingly long wait until kick off began and we had to try and process lunch before we could take to the field. Nerves and excitement were apparent and we headed out onto the pitch for a final run through and then were back in the changing room to get ready to go out.

An impressive crowd of about 150 people turned up in the stands to cheer their home team. 'Highland Cathedral' began and the boys got fired up and ran out onto the pitch led by todays Captain William Reynolds to face the large Los Cardos team.

Unfortunately on the pitch we could not put our hard work into action and suffered a heavy defeat. Disappointment and frustration clouded the 'Coll' players as they struggled to come to terms with what had just occurred.

However it was time to respect the winners and hosts and put on a brave face for the late post match dinner and functions. At least Argentina's loss in the football to Uruguay gave the boys a little pleasure!

Match Report

Los Cardos RC 45 - Glenalmond 17

A tough day at the office! On a beautiful afternoon at the foot of the Tandil Hills Glenalmond came up against a spirited Los Cardos team who made life tough for the inexperienced Glenalmond side. Making sure that all of the squad started one of the first two games was a real priority and with new combinations starting in the pack and in midfield, it was always going to prove difficult to hit the ground running. A quick and powerful midfield from the opposition supported by a dynamic back row proved too much for us in the first half. Four set pieces were lost in the fist 30 minutes and four tries followed. A tough baptism for the young Coll side! Robertson (P) crashed over in the first half for our only score to leave us up against it. Harsh words were exchanged during the interval and there was certainly a response. The second half performance was much improved and certainly showed the fighting spirit for which Glenalmond are renowned. Two outstanding tries from Fenton (R) provided a glimpse of what this side is capable, but in all, a sound defeat against good opposition.

Once again special thanks must go to Los Cardos RFC who have proved to be most hospitable and generous.

On to game 3 in Mar Del Plata on Wednesday where we hope to secure our first win of the tour.

Team List:

15. McCleery (Fenton 60 mins)

14. Straengh (Crostwaite 55 mins)

13. Macleod(V-Capt) (Carmichael 50 mins)

12. Davies (O'Dwyer 50 mins)

11. Gaffney (Bodie 30 mins)

10. Winton

9. Stover

1. Wise

2. Strachan

3. Smith Maxwell (Orr Ewing 50 mins)

4. Lindemann (Ambler 60 mins)

5. Meikle (Sandison 60 mins)

6. Webster

7. Reynolds (Capt)

8. Robertson(V-Capt)

Friday 15^th July

After a big send off from the pleasant company of the North Hills boys the night before many of the guys were sad to be leaving such a wonderful and hospitable place and its people.

We now faced a long and gruelling coach trip to Tandil in the north of Argentina. The bus trip mainly compromised of sleeping and movie watching and a lunch time stop at the Gaucho Ranch was warmly welcomed.

At the Ranch we enjoyed horse riding and tractor riding. We then headed into the great hall for endless servings of freshly cooked meat and Argentinian dancers as entertainment.

When we eventually arrived in Tandil we were met by our new host families at a spectacular rugby club. A very smart club building and impressive pitches was a change to the tougher pitches we had become used to in Buenos Aries.

A dinner was organised for most of the players at a local restaurant again and we bonded with our opposition before the battle would commence the next day.

Thursday 14^th July

The pupils of North Hill High School were met with an interesting surprise when 26 teenage boys turned up at their school in the morning wearing "skirts"! Unfortunately our Welsh and Irish contingent on the coaching staff could not be persuaded to get kilts on and join us.

They had even more of a shock when 3 or 4 of us turned up in their morning lessons which livened things up to say the least. Charlie and I explained the structure of the British Government, with Ross as our translator, as we were thrown into the early morning Politics lesson.

This was then followed by a slick, light training session out on their pitches in preparation for the afternoons match. The boys are now getting used to the hardness of the pitches and the team is primed and ready to draw some Argentinian blood.

A large crowd turned out to support their team which we attempted to drown out with a good blasting of Highland Cathedral to get the guys playing revved up.

After the game we were again shown more enjoyable hospitality with a meal, speeches and then another request for me to get my pipes out for a quick tune. This was warmly accompanied with a cameo performance of 'Oh Flower of Scotland' by Harvey Strachan which all the boys joined in with by singing along.

A good performance by the guys on the pitch after months of hard work really showed how far we have come and how much further we can progress. With this in mind we were ordered to relax and enjoy ourselves tonight with another function put on by our hosts to round of a fantastic couple of days in the company of the school. Hopefully there isn't another request for Highland Cathedral!

Buenos noches

Finlay MacLeod (P U6th)

Glenalmond Argentina Rugby Tour Squad 2011

Match Report

North Hills College 24 - Glenalmond College 24

What a start to the tour - a pulsating game with much to be pleased about. After months of planning and preparation our first game on Argentinean soil had arrived. The boys have worked incredibly hard over the last few weeks and with nine boys on debut for the side it was with much excitement and an air of the unexpected that we took to the field. What a start - the North Hills side started very well and after ten minutes we found ourselves 12- 0 down. As the game progressed, Coll grew in confidence and really began to move the ball with speed and accuracy which saw us dominate the last fifteen minutes of the half. Captain for the day, Stirling Fenton (R ) knocked over a simple penalty and a after a concerted period of pressure Simon Carmichael (P) cut a lovely line to crash over under the posts. The second half ebbed and flowed with both sides intent on attacking - two break away tries from North Hills proved costly but the young and inexperienced Coll side showed great spirit to fight back. The impressive Winnington Ingram (G) crashing over for one try and Carmichael scoring his second in the dying minutes to seal a draw.

Special thanks must go to North Hills College who have been wonderful hosts - the boys have certainly made some good friends and have had a great introduction to touring in our first few days. Off to a Gaucho ranch tomorrow and on to Tandil for our next match on Saturday.

Tries Pens Cons

Carmichael x 2 Fenton Fenton x 2

Winnington Ingram Davies

HGT

Glenalmond College R.F.C.

Tour game 1

15. Gaffney (Sub Davies 50 mins)
14. Crosthwaite
13. O'Dwyer
12. Carmichael (V-Capt)
11. Bodie
10. Cameron (Sub Winton 55 mins)
9. Fenton (Capt) (Sub Stover 65 mins)

1. Winnington Ingram
2. Wise (Sub Strachan 60 mins)
3. Orr Ewing (Sub Smith Maxwell 65 mins)
4. Lindemann
5. Ambler (Sub Meikle 55 mins)
6. Wainwright (V-Capt)
7. Sandison
8. Webster

16. Smith Maxwell 17. Stover 18. Davies 19. Meikle

Wednesday 13^th July

Spirits were high as the team left the hotel mid-morning to the sound of bagpipes on the streets of Buenos Aries. We set off to a local school for our first training session in Argentina and we were met by tough grassless pitches that cruelly grazed the skin off the boys' knee-caps.

However getting used to the pitches was only a minor problem compared to the task of"blowing away the cobwebs" from our long journey over. A slow, rusty start was puffed away by an impressive finish to the training session that made sure we were well prepared for the game the following day.

We then headed off to North Hills High school on the outskirts of Buenos Aries. A very impressive looking school was matched only by the excitement and keenness of our host families. Meeting and socialising with the players was followed by a trip to their homes to meet the rest of their families.

The North Hills players had kindly organised a meal for the whole squad at the local pizzeria and the night was spent watching football as the Argentinian boys, unsurprisingly, supported anyone but Brazil which sounded very familiar to us Scots.

A good nights sleep at our host's houses was kindly greeted in preparation for the big game tomorrow.

Monday 11^th - Tuesday 12^th July

The morning started with team photos in full match kit outside the library. Then we headed out to the pitches for team run-throughs which was all that was necessary before we finalised the packing and preparations before boarding the bus.

We said goodbye to 'Coll' and welcomed Aberdeen for a brief moment as we had a little wait before our flight to the impressive Paris airport of Charles De Gaulle.

A long wait in Paris was not helped by extraordinary prices for food and entertainment. However cultural attaché for France, Sandy McCleery carried us through and our mood was lightened by Archie's 'Stover's stats' on Argentina. Interesting ones such as where the best places to buy lingerie in Buenos Aries were more amusing then helpful.

Then came the dreaded 14 hour overnight flight to Buenos Aries. Movie marathons and rough sleeps, between the screams of children and the hugely turbulent trip across the Atlantic, commenced among the boys.

The eventual arrival of a tired squad in Buenos Aries was met with a pleasant unexpected warmth and sunny weather. Our cultural attaché for Argentina, Will Reynolds, was ably assisted by his deputies Davies and Carmichael as we negotiated the rigours of Argentinean customs. We met our tour guide Felipe and bumped into the Merchiston Head rugby coach!

Lunch time was spent wandering around a small area of Buenos Aries followed by a long tour round the main attractions of the city. Boca Juniors football stadium and the environment around it along with the President's Pink House were major highlights for those who managed to stay awake.

Now checked into our hotel and Archie is battling with Felipe to get in the greatest number of facts about Argentina and Harvey's nose won't stop bleeding. Maybe it's time we were all heading out for supper?

Finlay Macleod (Patchell's, Upper Sixth)

Sunday 10^th July

Aching bodies woke to the pleasant news that we would only be working in the morning. With some players sitting on the side lines and the players on the pitch feeling the strain of rugby at the top level it was felt that our bodies deserved the afternoon off.

The day started with a quick session of defensive alignment whilst warming up and then we immediately got stuck in again. Defending around the fringes of rucks was the order and these techniques were quickly put into game situations at a high intensity.

The next session after the break was attacking phases with the two teams. Players are clearly getting used to where they need to be and the desired patterns of play from set piece. This is good to see ahead of the first game on Thursday.

Lunch time marked the end of the day in regards to rugby and the afternoon was for relaxing. All the boys headed to Perth to watch different films at the cinema. Pirates of the Carribean was a popular choice with the boys trying not to nod off during the film. After a relaxing stroll around the shops in Perth the guys were ready to head back for supper.

The announcement of captains for the first two games was made tonight. Congratulations to Stirling Fenton who will captain the first game along with Simon Carmichael and Dougie Wainwright as vice-captains. In the second game Will Reynolds will captain with Lochy Robertson and Finlay MacLeod as vice-captains. So packing has commenced and we wait with eagerness for the tour to start tomorrow.

Finlay Macleod (Patchell's, Upper Sixth)

Saturday 9^th July

Our second day of training commenced with the squad being told we would be concentrating on the breakdown and high intensity contact. First up we went through breakdown techniques and skills as we waited in anticipation for the body bashing to begin.

We then had a taste of what was to come as the pitch shrunk to an eight metre channel in which our first contact game would occur. The intensity hit the cloudy roof under which we stood and players threw their bodies on the line. With no room to run but straight up the middle, almighty collisions occurred that sent shockwaves across the school grounds.

After lunch the two teams selected for the opening games came together to run phases of attack. New players took a while to get used to the speed at which first team rugby is played at but slick handling and decision making began to arise towards the end.

Our final session of the day was a trial match which immediately cued the heavens to open up. The classic whites versus blues was a torrid affair cooled only by the rain and some sublime passages of play. Flair was ever present with barnstorming runs, offloading and handling masterpieces. The tackles on the pitch were mirrored by the lighting striking the hill tops and echoed by the thunder bouncing around the valley.

Pleased coaches and tired bodies trudged back to the showers and a deserved rest before sitting down to watch an inspiring Super Rugby final in front of the TV.

Friday 08 July 2011

Pre tour training started with the long awaited skipathon at 9 o'clock last night. The aim for the boys was to skip for an hour. We completed this with much enthusiasm and enjoyment. Special mention must go to David Gaffney And Tim Webster for raising the most money in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

However, serious training commenced at the crack of dawn this morning with hill sprints and boxing, combined with regurgitation of last night's supper. Breakfast was well deserved for the guys and strongly required for the four training sessions that lay ahead below the sacred ground of Neishes.

Grip and handling practice was on the agenda after breakfast this morning under a rare sight of sun. After our break it was straight into our first contact session of the season. Sounds of clattered bones and bodies echoed around the valleys as the players welcomed each other back. No broken bones to report yet, touch wood.

Rusty minds and bodies proved Mr Thomas' vocal chords were quickly reinvigorated and showed that we had a lot of work to do.

A much needed lunch was followed up with the announcement of the teams for the first two matches thus ensuring everyone gets a start from these two games. Midfield defensive and attacking patterns were run by the back lines and Mr Thomas whilst Mr Davies and Mr Swaile put the forwards through their paces with lineout's and scrums.

Tired and broken-in bodies trudge back to Reid's as a much appreciated supper and lie-in tomorrow morning was rewarded.

So the first day over, Strachan starting prop and Robertson at Number 8 with Winnington-Ingram still on the run! Clearly there is still a lot of work to be done.