Interestingly, Hurst was originally a Football playing school. But, during the years leading up to WW1, it became more difficult to create a fixture list, as other schools switched from playing football to rugby. By the early 1920s there were only 3 matches with other schools in the fixture list. The then Headmaster, Arthur Coombes, suggested a switch to rugby but did not pursue the matter as there was such an outcry, particularly from the OJs whose club side was doing so well.

But in 1924,  Headmaster Rev H Bernard Tower, made the decision to play rugby and that Michaelmas Term training began for the boys under Mr Reginald Loverock, an enthusiastic new history teacher, who was also an Oxford Blue and a former member of the Harlequins.

The last Football XI had a good last season, winning 9 of its 12 matches including the last official one played on 6 December 1924. Rugby began in the Michaelmas Term of 1925 and the 1st XV played and won their first match against Storrington by 16 points to 3 on 24 October. Junior house matches started in the Lent Term of 1926 and senior ones a year later.

During the late 40s, the 1st XV did well; in Headmaster Canon Howard's first term with 7 out of 10 victories and in 1948 and 1949 only one match was lost. It was during this time that the boys started to wear white shorts in place of the dark ones featured in the photo.

Between 1950 and 1955, however, the team did less well, winning only 15 out of 56 games. But in 1955 a strong pack was created leading to much greater success on the field, with 6 out of 9 fixtures won.Over the following few years, good and bad seasons were experienced but in 1962 the team was unbeaten expect for a penalty kick costing them one match. Hurst began to do better at the Rosslyn Park Sevens, reaching the quarter finals on two occasions.

The early 70s were lean years but the arrival of David Clark saw things change for the better. 1975 was the 50th Anniversary of Rugby and saw much success and there was a first rugby tour to Canada. Another lean period followed in the late 70s and early 80s, but 1984 was the best season since 1976 when Hurst was blessed with a galaxy of talent.

With thanks to Peter King's Book The School by the Downs