RGS Senior Newspaper

PROSPECTUS 2022-2023 P13 Rugby Rugby P12 RGS HIGHWYCOMBE Although it was not until after the First World War that rugby football gained any degree of popularity in Buckinghamshire, several clubs were established in the area towards the end of 19th Century, often in the face of considerable local prejudice and official opposition. The first 'organised’ game of school rugby at RGS was played in the Spring term of 1919, and so the 2018–2019 rugby season represents the rugby centenary at the School. Rugby continued to be played by pupils and Old Wycombiensians (our alumni) throughout the First World War . In HighWycombe, the outbreak of the war meant the sport did not formally resume until 12th January 1929, when the local club was founded as the Old Wycombiensians Club by RGS alumni, and matches were played on a pitch loaned by the School. Unlike at RGS, in 1939, the Old Wycombiensians Club disbanded for the duration of the Second World War and reformed again in May 1945. The Club continued to use facilities at the School until the end of 1947; with the School expanding, they were forced to look for alternative facilities. The Old Wycombiensians Club continued to gain popularity and, by 1960, had five regular ‘Saturday sides’. During this period, with increasing numbers of non-RGS Old Boy members, including players from both the local Bomber Command Headquarters and the American air base, the Club changed its name first to Wycombiensians and, finally, in 1962, to High Wycombe Rugby Club . Rugby at RGS A HISTORY OF RGS RUGBY