b'Sport - The Academies153 THE ELLESMERIAN RugbyOne of the main highlights of the season was the senior tour to Canada. A group of 24 Ellesmere students, made up of Year 11 and Sixth Form, travelled to Vancouver during half term. This was an incredible opportunity for these young men to experience the rugby and culture that Canada has to offer. The tour saw the pupils stay in a number of locations around the Vancouver and Vancouver Island area. The team flew out on the Friday but had very little time to acclimatise, as their first game took place the following day against Burnaby Lake RFC. However, the travel seemed to have little effect on the team. The Ellesmere boys went on to rack up an impressive 80 points against the hosts. After the game, the players were able to mix with their hosts and enjoy the hospitality. The Ellesmere Rugby Academy were fortunate to be one of the least affected sports by the pandemic this academic year. With the main season taking place from September to December, Ellesmere were able to carry out their usual fixture list and training.This was yet another action-packed season, with lots of fixtures being played across all the age grades in school from the 1st XV to the under 12s. There were a number of highlights, such as the 1st XV enjoying an unbeaten season, while at the other end of the school the under 12s achieved the impressive feat of not even conceding a single point against them, which ranked them as one of the best school teams in the country!Sunday saw the group pack up and take the ferry across to Vancouver Island, where they were able to enjoy a trip to the impressive tree top zip line park. This saw a lot of the pupils (and staff) well out of their comfort zone. Following this, they checked into their hotel, where they would stay for several nights. While on the island they trained at the same rugby club that the College had previously visited ten years ago, which was a poignant moment for some of the staff who were on the same trip. The following day, Ellesmere travelled to the impressive Brentwood school. Here, Ellesmere played their second game of the tour on the picturesque oceanfront playing fields. This was a tougher encounter, with the visitors having to work harder for their win. The following day saw the pupils enjoy some down time with a trip to Victoria, an afternoon meal, and attending a local ice hockey game.The team travelled back to the mainland the next day, where they There was also the usual further rugby representative honours, withchecked into their third hotel of the tour. That evening, the team a number of boys being selected for County level and Academy level.played their toughest game of the tour against Meraloma RFC. This Some of these included James Mallin, William Owen, Reuben Roberts,would prove to be a bruising encounter, with the hosts taking an Jack Tomlinson, and Harrison Vernon selected for the Worcesterearly 12-point lead. However, despite a few tired legs, Ellesmere were Warriors under 16 Academy, and Josh MacAndrew being selected forable to control some territory and score 19 unanswered points, the Sale Sharks under 16 Academy. Further up the school, Lynxgiving them a well earnt victory. In the remaining two days, the team Noumey represented Leicester Tigers at Under 18s, while Will Davieswere able to enjoy some downtime, where they explored Vancouver and Ben Rowley represented Worcester Warriors under 18s. Ben,city and enjoyed an excursion to the Capalino suspension bridge park incredibly, went on to be selected for the England under 17s trainingbefore a long flight home. camp. Interestingly, Lynx and Ben actually went head to head when Worcester played against Leicester, which was a special moment forAJMEllesmere Rugby.'