The Thistles XV have become the first foreign team to win the Argentinean St George’s Schools Tournament. A month ago an excited St Andrew's college rugby team journeyed to Argentina.
The Thistles XV have become the first foreign team to win the Argentinean St George’s Schools Tournament. A month ago an excited St Andrew's college rugby team journeyed to Argentina.
Now back in South Africa the team spoke to Grocott's Mail about the tour. The team spent most of its time in Beunos Aires. They participated in the St George’s Schools Tournament which consisted of five schools all playing each other on a round-robin basis.
The Thistle XV played against the local XV’s winning their first three matches.
Thistles played against St George’s College (14-0), Day School (68-0) and Florida (57-0). The team says that winning these matches built up their confidence for their final game against St’s College, a team that had also convincingly won their first three fixtures.
The match kept the players on their toes with the lead changing hands often, but in the end the Thistles won 22-21, winning the tournament and becoming the first foreign team to do so.
This was the Thistles first outing as a team. XV who were up against the Old Georgian Club, took to the field and were met by a much larger side. But the team believes that this was a true test of the team’s character and they performed brilliantly with a final score of 38-25.
The boys were then treated to an Argentinian rugby tradition called the “Third Time” where the two teams spend time together, socialise and enjoy a good meal.
Thistles Coach Alan Miles said "I am sure that the boys and the staff who were involved in the tour will remember the experience for a long time to come."
Another evening match for the XV saw them wrap up their tour against Gymnasia Club of Rosario. It was another challenging and physical affair which saw the XV beat their opponents with skill and flair as College ran in seven tries in another thoroughly professional display.
The final score was a resounding 45-12.
