Cranleigh’s outstanding rugby season in 2015-16 was recognised with their nomination for the best rugby school award at the Crabbies National rugby awards 2016 held at Twickenham on Thursday, September 1.
During the last campaign where the School won the HSBC National Rosslyn Park Cup, won thirteen out of the sixteen 1st XV regular season matches, lost only one match at U14A level, and regularly put out nineteen rugby sides on Saturday afternoons including a 6th XV at under 18 level, . They also produced seven elite academy Harlequins rugby players, two schoolboy internationals, and one professional player who signed for Harlequins.
The School made the shortlist for the final six at the awards and although we did not finish in the top three the nomination in itself was a fine achievement.
Andy Houston, the director of rugby, was interviewed on the night and underlined the hard work from so many people within both the prep and senior Schools that have lead to the successes that were achieved last season. “From the players, ground staff, medical support, parents, coaches and laundry ladies, there was so much hard work put in. I am delighted and proud that all of our collective achievements have been acknowledged and rewarded at a national level. The hard working culture and enthusiasm for rugby at the School is brilliant and although it will be tough to match what we did last year, I can’t wait to build on it and push again in the 2016-17 season.”