Winners confirmed in Continental Tyres Schools Cup U15 Finals
Radley School, Cranleigh School, Beechen Cliff School and Reading Blue Coat School all claimed victories.
Radley College were crowned u15s Cup winners on the first day of the Continental Tyres Schools Cup finals at StoneX Stadium.
An action-packed day in the rain also saw Cranleigh School claim Plate success, Beechen Cliff School win the Vase, and Reading Blue Coat School triumph in the Bowl.
Radley roar to Cup victory
Radley College beat Northampton School for Boys in a thrilling 24-12 Cup final.
Alexander Collins gave Northampton a deserved early lead after five minutes, but Northampton spilled possession from the restart, handing Radley a first chance to attack and despite initially being turned over on the line, prop William Jordan-Willis scored a charge-down try to draw them level.
Jordan-Willis powered over for Radley’s second as the momentum shifted. After striking the post with his first attempt, Manny Lumsden converted on this occasion to make it 12-5.
Northampton rallied and scored their second try through hooker Daniel Howells from a lineout drive before fly-half Giovanni Panariello levelled the scores from the tee. But Radley hit back instantly through Edward Casey after the fly-half was set clear by some swift hands in the back line.
The second half was a far nervier affair with both sides having chances to attack. But it was Radley’s William McNeil who crossed for a try to clinch victory six minutes from time.
Cranleigh cruise to Plate glory
Cranleigh School claimed victory in the Plate final, beating Hymers College 33-10.
They took an early lead courtesy of Nikolaj Fugmann, using a man advantage after a Hymers second row was sin-binned moments earlier. The Cranleigh forwards made their presence felt and another prop Sam Godber crossed for their second.
William Westerdale kicked Hymers first points of the game with a penalty but a quick-fire double from Cranleigh captain Alfie Perrett and then a superb line from vice-skipper Kai Barker established a healthy Cranleigh half-time lead.
The Oxford side struggled to find the same intensity after the break and it was Hymers who claimed the first points of the half, courtesy of prop Ben Robson.
But Cranleigh regained control when centre Luke Wessels muscled his way under the uprights, and they comfortably saw out victory for silverware at the end of their first season in competition.
Beechen Cliff too strong in the Vase
Hector Dalby-Welsh and Henry Sui both crossed twice as Beechen Cliff School beat Durham School 45-7 in the Vase final.
Durham started strongly and took the lead when Simon Graham powered over from the back of a maul before Louie Macari converted. But Beechen Cliff rallied well and levelled midway through the first half when Dalby-Welsh finished off a flowing move.
Beechen Cliff then pushed ahead for the first time courtesy of captain Theo Lewis-Zdybel before Sui slid in for a third try on the cusp of half-time.
There was no let-up after the break with Zac Saunders and Charlie Greenhough adding their names to the scoresheet, the latter via a superb solo score.
Greenhough’s effort was matched by a classy try from speedster Dalby-Welsh before No.8 Sui added his second to the scoreline late on.
Reading Blue Coat battle to Bowl success
Reading Blue Coat fought off a spirited Gordon’s School comeback to win 22-12 in the Bowl final.
Reading Blue Coat came flying out the traps and after a period of early pressure hit the front through captain James Lunn. Vice-captain Harry Millard added a penalty and a second try soon followed from prop Joshua Wilson.
Gordon’s gave themselves a lifeline on the stroke of half time, with flanker Rory Butler touching down from the back of an unstoppable lineout drive.
Gordon's had their tails up after the break and cut the deficit to just five points when flanker Adam Cohen scorched round the outside of the Blue Coat defence to score under the sticks, with captain Tom Norman adding the extras.
The gap remained just five points for most of the second period, but Blue Coat’s Byron Crow ensured there was no dramatic turnaround with a try at the death.
