Netball

On Monday we had a fantastic turnout of 119 P2-7 pupils out playing Netball during their co-curricular afternoon at Countesswells. We also welcomed 56 players from visiting local primary schools for a P6/7 festival. It was a great fun afternoon of Netball! 

During the summer term S1 - S3 Netballers are invited to attend summer match play training. We have had a great turn out, where this week we had 4 S1 - S3 teams and played a round robin tournament. It is so fantastic to be able to play on the outside Netball courts at Countesswells and for the pupils to mix year groups. All great preparation for next season! 

 

Cricket

P7 played a mature Albyn team at Aberdeenshire Cricket Club on Monday after school. Albyn batted first and scored 46, then we chased successfully and ended up on 90. Overall our fielding was better, striking more consistent and bowling more accurate.

RGC U15 put on another mature display on Tuesday to pip Merchiston Castle and advance to the semi finals of the Scottish Cup. A wicket that looked remarkably good for the weather we’ve had of late had plenty for the bowlers, and a lush outfield ensured that only the very best of placement would pick up easy runs. RGC won the toss, and restricted Merchiston to 78-8, with wickets for Arnu, Aayan, Aarav (2), Adi M and Alex as well as two calmly executed run-outs. A nervy start saw RGC stay just about ahead of the RRR, before some aggressive running from Rudhra, Riyansh and Arnu saw RGC home with 79-3 from 17.4 overs. Bring on finals day in June!

It was another successful day for team Cricket on Wednesday with 20 P6 pupils playing against St Leonard’s School. Both games were played in good spirit and it was great to see our developing cricketers growing in confidence and wanting to hit boundaries, bowling with accuracy and fielding with intent. Lots of learning from both teams and exciting for the future.

St Leonard’s School travelled to Countesswells on Saturday with our S1s enjoying a successful morning. RGC batted first, finishing 140-4 after 15 overs (having retired a few, to ensure others in the team had their chance at batting). Some work is definitely required on our catching in the field, however consistent and accurate bowling from all ensured our total wasn’t under threat, limiting St Leonard’s to 79. The team showed great sportsmanship and ensured a positive learning experience for a less experienced opposition, some of whom were playing hardball for the first time. It was also great to see a couple of girls coming into the team today too, who will hopefully be back again next week.

S2 played an enjoyable and well contested fixture against St Leonards on Saturday morning. We made 68 in our 15 overs with some good boundaries from captain Aarav. With some slower paced bowling in the last few overs we really needed to make more. The visitors made the required 69 with just over an over to spare. We will be working on our batting power in future sessions.

A good all-around team performance saw RGC's S3s win well against St Leonard's in a match played in good spirits. RGC batted first and finished on 102-4 after the 15 overs led by a knock of 21 from Rudra with support from Tanish and Vaibhav. In the field, our bowling proved to be too strong, bowling St Leonard's out for 39 with Henry taking 5 for 9, Vaibhav taking 2 and 1 each for Finlay and Alex.

 

Tennis

On a day where you would have been reluctant to hang out your washing, this was deemed a perfectly suitable day for Lawn Tennis. Dollar Academy were the visitors to Countesswells on Tuesday and it was hoped our boys would put in a sterling performance. The boys seem to have a Yen for playing in the wind and during the singles the opponent’s base line was constantly pounded resulting in RGC taking a 6-2 lead into the doubles. The form would be Franc-ed in the doubles with both RGC pairings making their mark and running out comfortable winners 8-4. Well done to Kevin, Oran, Rory and Mihir.

The girls’ team against Dollar, comprising Saso A, Willow H, Caitlin B and Annabel A (two of whom are primary pupils) didn't get much change from Dollar. In a match where the visitors dominated each tie it was really pleasing that our girls knew they were up against a top outfit. They played right to the very end and realised with a degree of maturity that this really was a day for learning. The same 4 girls had an early start on Friday morning as they headed south to Kilgraston School for a fantastic morning of Tennis. The U12 and U14 couples both played 7 different matches against 7 different schools. The girls were excellent all morning and improved with every game. Willow and Saso also won their final fixture 3-2 against Kilgraston and it was a great outcome for all their efforts. Well done to Willow, Saso, Caitlin and Annabel who were a credit to RGC. 

Thirty five students from Senior and Junior school travelled up to Gordonstoun on Saturday morning for our annual Tennis fixture. The 12 main courts at Gordonstoun were so busy, we had to use their Grass courts for our Senior A matches. The matches were all played in a friendly, competitive spirit and RGC’s strength in depth was evident throughout. The Senior A team had a tough time adapting to playing on grass and traded victories with the Gordonstoun A team. The other RGC Senior teams really dominated their opponents and came in with some impressive scores. Final score RGC 23 Gordonstoun 16. The Junior school played lots of singles and doubles matches with Nicholas F-J and Annabel A leading the win count. A really great performance from everyone, with many players making their competitive debut.

 

Athletics

We welcomed St Leonards and St Margaret’s Schools to Countesswells for a triangular match on Wednesday afternoon. It was a wonderful afternoon for all the girls as they competed in 60m Hurdles, 100m, 800m, Shot Put, Long Jump and Relay. We were extremely blessed to have our S6 pupil, Angela M-K along to inspire the girls as she has just been selected for her 1st GB Athletics team. Angela was wonderful moving around, talking to and helping the girls enjoy and improve their Athletics. There were fantastic performances from many participants and it was a closely contested match, with RGC just pipping both teams at the end.

On Thursday the RGC S1-3 Athletics team took the short trip down to Lathallan for a midweek fixture. Lathallan were very slick, particularly in the field events and it was a tough but enjoyable match up. Lathallan took a well deserved win overall but RGC really improved massively in their chosen event.

Gordonstoun travelled to Countesswells on Saturday morning where our S1-S3 athletes enjoyed a great morning of competition across several track and field events. 

 

P1-P4 Multi-Sports

It was great to welcome our keen P1-4 pupils to Countesswells again on Saturday morning where they built on the running, jumping and throwing skills learned in their previous sessions. We look forward to running the next session this Saturday.

 

Team of the Week

This week’s TOTW is the Senior School Tennis team who travelled to Gordonstoun on Saturday. The boys and girls put in an all-around top performance.

 

Sporting Achievements Out With School

Congratulations to the following pupils on their recent successes:

• 5 RGC pupils have been selected for the Scottish Alpine Ski team 2023/24. They are Blair M (S3) & Louisa M (S2) in the U16 Team and Daisy C (S4), Michael M (S4) and Autumn T(S4) in the U18 Team. What a fantastic achievement for you all and to have 5 pupils in the National team! 

• Demi, Jomi, Jimi & Somto (all S2) who were part of the Banks O Dee Albion Football side who recently won their U14 Alba Gaskets League & the Eddie Mannall cup. 

• Adi H (S6) who is an age group international cricket player and currently playing at the highest level of club cricket in Scotland, the Eastern Premier League, for Meigle Cricket Club.

• Angela M-K (S6) who has been selected not only for the Senior Scotland Team for Athletics, but also Great Britain U20 Team. She competed in the Hammer competition at The Loughborough International on Sunday. 

• The boys from the RGC Football team who were part of the Culter Youth Football Club U18 side who won the Murray Cup.

• Charlie R (S6) who was part of the Banks O Dee Junior FC team who won the Elginshire Cup Final at the weekend.

• S3 Football boys who were part of the Banks O Dee Albion 2008 side who recently won the U15 Alba Gaskets League title.

• Ava B (S4) who was in the starting 7 at the Netball Scotland SuperCup and Vice-Captain in the final game.

• Several RGC pupils represented North District Hockey at Peffermill on Saturday and Sunday: RGC pupils in the U14 team were Emma D, Willow H, Carla F, Olivia S, Lexie L, AnnaB S, Bea F, Louise B, Juliet B and Elise M. They finished 5th, just missing out on 3rd/4th play off. 

• In the Boys U14 Districts Hockey tournament at Peffermill on Sunday, 5 RGC boys played their part with the team finishing 4th place overall. They were: Struan M, Eli C, Alfie M, Harry C and Kevin S.

• Abi C swimming 300m, Aled L cycling 16km & Bethan L running 4.8km took the silver medal in the Junior (U18) team category at Grantown Try Tri event. They all completed their section with the appropriate transitions in between events and at age 9, 10 and 8 respectively were delighted to beat children who were much older than them.

• Many of our RGC P7s are part of the Gordonian Pelicans P7 (U12) Rugby Team who have had a very successful season. The team won first place trophies at all 5 competitive festivals that they attended, overall winning 26 matches and only losing 1 match.

 

Summer Sports Camps

Gordonian Pelicans will be running their Summer Rugby Camp at Countesswells from 7th - 11th August. This is open to all girls and boys starting preschool through to S2 in August from any club/school. Please visit www.gordonianpelicans.co.uk for more information.

Gordonians Hockey Club will be holding their annual Gordonians Youth Summer Camp from 7th - 11th August at Countesswells. Please click here for further information and to sign up.