Three tries were enough for Churcher’s College so seal their U18 NatWest Vase final place at Twickenham on the 25^th March.

Churcher’s worked well to build a 15-5 half time lead but KES came out in threatening fashion in the second half to close that gap before a Matthew Vawdrey try took the game away from them and sealed the tie the way of Churcher’s.

Number 8 and all round action man Seb Herold, the Churcher’s captain, gave his side the lead after seven minutes through a penalty, before a delightful try from fly half Seb Head extended that advantage to 8-0.

At that stage Churcher’s looked in control and KES had not really been in the game in any major way, howeveras the half began to ebb away, KES Outside centre Myles Bean had other ideas

The rangy centre showed exquisite finishing technique to go over on the right hand side, doing superbly well to avoid the touchline and giving his side a much needed lift, narrowing the gap to 8-5.

Churcher’s hit back right on the stroke of half time though, with substitute hooker Max Wood vindicating his sides decision to run a penalty rather than go for the posts as he burrowed his way over underneath the sticks, allowing Herold an easy conversion to give Churcher’s a 15-5 half time lead.

If that seems like the worst time to concede, KES certainly did not show it though, they came bravely firing out for the second half, with fly half Ollie Chitnis in inspired mood.

Chitnis, taking the game to Churcher’s soon carved through the defence from long range to score a try at Allianz Park that he will remember for years to come, and crucially narrowing the gap to just five minutes.

From there though, despite flashes of brilliance from the likes of Chitness and loosehead Joseph Morris, KES struggled to piece together any coherent attacks as Churcher’s began to put the squeeze on, responding fast with a Herold penalty.

As they game began to drift though there was still a sense that there could still be a chance for KES despite their 8 point deficit, however lovely Matthrew Vawdrey try down the blindside for Churcher’s put any thoughts of a comeback on hold.

It was excellently controlled from Churcher’s from that point, and they look a side who know how to play a dogfight, but also who can play a bit of a rugby.

They will now face Seevic College in the final at Twickeham Stadium on Wednesday 25^th March.

Full Time: Churcher’s College 23-10 KES Aston

Churchers College

15 Charlie Thompson,  14 Jonny Payne,  13 Zach Housden,  12 Ben Norman,  11 Jordan Alexander,  10 Seb Head,  9 Jack Harpur;  1 Will Kaye,  2 Stefan Younghusband,  3 Harry Trowsdale,  4 Harry Rawlings,  5 James Hargreaves,  6 Sam Bloomer,  7 Joseph Farrell,  8 Seb Herold (c).

Replacements: 16 Max Wood,  17 Michael Gray,  18 Oliver Nichols,  19 Matt Vawdrey,  20 Emile Hussell,  21 Matt Edmonson,  22 Ben Hanlon.

KES Aston:

15 Dwight Wilson,  14 Warren Davis,  13 Myles Bean,  12 Thomas Williams,  11 Izzak Miller,  10 Ollie Chitnis,  9 Zak Tyler;  1 Joseph Morris,  2 Matthew Grigg,  3 Satvinder Sangar,  4 Harkeerat Hayre,  5 Gobind Raj,  6 George Minchin,  7 Shehryaar Kiani,  8 Alex Bennett.

Replacements:  16 Hussaam Baig,  17 Kamran Marriot,  18 Chris Bancroft,  19 Sabbir Ahmed,  20 Thomas Davidson,  21 Thomas Flannagan,  22 Jordan Lloyd.