Monday 19th December 2005
The 1st XV had another outstanding season in 2005. This year's team had the unenviable task of following the success of the unbeaten 2004 team, but rose splendidly to the challenge.
With an athletic, hard working pack led indomitably by captain Billy Moss (JH) and a pacey back division, the team were always likely to be exciting to watch on fast early season pitches and they certainly didn't disappoint. Jonathon Farmer (WW) at outside centre scored 14 tries to take his 1st XV tally to 26 in his three years in the side. His reliable defence and incisive running alongside that of full back Ben James (PH) and wing Nick Barrett (FH) ensured that the XV were rarely if ever bested out wide.
Half - backs Jamie Tennant (PH) and David Whitehead (PH) were the linchpins of the team. They directed and organised backs and forwards to great effect and were at the heart of every good performance.
After some fine performances, mainly at home, in warm conditions before half term the team ended the season with the epic challenge of playing Radley, Judd, Dulwich and Wellington, all away on consecutive Saturdays. There can be few more testing sequences of fixtures on any circuit in the country, particularly in conditions unsuited to Tonbridge's fast open rugby, and they led to some extraordinary games. Two of which saw Tonbridge score last minute tries to come from behind and win.
Completing back to back unbeaten seasons is certainly a fine achievement, but more important is the quality of rugby the 1st XV continued to produce even under extreme pressure in key matches. Throughout the year the team showed tremendous resilience and spirit against quality sides desperate to end their run of success and it is a great tribute to them that they were able to sustain such quality in their performances week in week out. The school can be very proud of them and their achievements this term.