Report by Hugo Eyre (2012, F)
On a beautiful evening in Southwest London, the Serpents descended on KCS Old Boys Rugby Club for their first match of 2025. The squad looked strong, with a great mix of age groups both playing and spectating, ranging from 2024 leavers to those who left before the turn of the century. Unfortunately, the Old Wellingtonians couldn’t quite match our numbers and, in classic old boys’ rugby fashion, were a few men short. Given that this fixture was highlighted as much as a social occasion as a sporting contest, we agreed to a spirited game of 10s. Apologies were made to the referee – and to our forwards, who hadn’t expected to be running quite so much!
The game started at a high tempo, with some scything runs from Harry Wilson (2018, G), who was hauled down just short of the line after an electric break early on. The backline, expertly managed by Charlie Davies (2012, D), was firing on all cylinders in both attack and defence, up against a very sharp Wellington side. Their attack proved too strong in the opening quarter, and they raced to a 12–0 lead. However, strong carries from Nikita Tutus (2018, F) and George Dillon-Robinson (2013, E) quickly dragged us back into contention, going into half-time only 12–7 down.
Sadly, the half-time oranges didn’t quite have the desired effect, as Wellington scored soon after the restart. Nonetheless, powerful running from Hugo Eyre (2012, F), making his return from injury, brought us back into the fight at 19–12. After trading blows and tries, the game started to settle – until Alex House (2012, B) decided enough was enough, bursting through from 60 metres out to score, capping it off with an exceptional swallow dive (though sadly, the same could not be said for the conversion attempt!). Harry Wilson (2018, G) then followed suit, slicing through the defence with another brilliant solo effort.
The youth and energy of Angus Couttie (2018, G) and Davann Var (2019, E/L) were pivotal, with their relentless efforts in both attack and defence keeping us in the contest right until the dying minutes. However, a couple of late scores from Wellington finally took the game beyond our reach, with a final score of 42–35.
A massive thanks to everyone involved – especially Luke Theophilus (1993, H), who kept the boys patched up with plenty of tape, and to James Tufnell (2007, G), who, despite running slightly late, made it just in time to get on the field!
For more information about Old Radleian sports, visit the Clubs & Societies page.
