Whitgift, led by a hat-trick of tries from Niall McGann, made it three in a row against Warwick with a 34-17 victory in a game of fluctuating fortunes.
A match-up between last season’s Schools U18 Cup finalists is always one to draw the attention. Although both schools had suffered defeats early in the season, that is arguably primarily a reflection of the strength of their fixture lists and one would still expect both to feature in the knock-out stages of the U18 Cup after Christmas, though Warwick are in a tough group, with both Solihull and Bromsgrove potential opponents. Although Warwick were without England U18 player Jack Forsythe and Whitgift missing centre Charlie Beckett, there was still a good representation from March’s Twickenham squads.
Whitgift kicked off with the advantage of both slope and wind and were quick to get on the scoreboard, as Warwick were penalised and full back Ben Fitzgerald duly claimed the three points from the tee. The visitors looked to respond immediately when Whitgift were penalised from the restart and fly half Finlay Smith kicked to the left corner. The line-out was won and a maul set up, but that was stopped and the ball moved to the backs and eventually Warwick were forced to kick. Although Whitgift managed to break out to half way, they were penalised there, and the cycle of line-out and effective defence was repeated.
Both sides enjoyed periods of possession inside the opposition 22 but good defence and handling errors combined to frustrate scoring opportunities. Finally, after a run by speedy wing Whitgift Ade Coker, Warwick were penalised on half way and Whitgift were able to set up an attacking line-out on the left. With possession won, second row George Prest carried into the 22 before offloading to centre Niall McGann who crossed on the left for the opening try, Fitzgerald adding the two points from wide out.
After both sides had struggled to secure their own line-out ball, Warwick were able to get onto the scoreboard,gaining possession on the right The ball was moved through the hands to left wing James Treasure, who broke into the 22 before offloading to centre Will Callan who crossed on the left, Smith adding the conversion.
With the prospect of having to face both wind and slope in the second half the home side will have been looking for more than a three point advantage at the interval. Turnover ball from the restart gave them the opportunity to do that. After Fitzgerald and Coker had combined on the left, play was switched to midfield and fly half Connor Slevin outpaced the defence to score on the right. Fitzgerald continued his 100% record from the tee.
Half-time: Whitgift 17-7 Warwick
The second half began in dramatic fashion. First it seemed that Whitgift would stretch their lead when they took play up to the Warwick line straight from the restart. A try looked likely but the ball was spilled and the opportunity created by turnover ball was again illustrated, as Warwick ran out of defence down the left and went the length of the pitch, Treasure scoring in the left corner, Smith’s touchline conversion attempt hit the post and stayed out.
Although Whitgift were penalised from the restart, touch was not found and the Croydon side moved the ball effectively through the hands deep into the 22, but again a handling error allowed Warwick to recover possession and clear to half way. There the line-out woes continued and Whitgift again made use of the turnover, moving the ball quickly to Coker on the left. The wing turned on the afterburners, stepping past three defenders to score close to the posts, Fitzgerald converting.
Warwick’s woes continued when the restart did not go 10m, and the home side showed that they could also attach from first phase set piece possession. Fitzgerald found a great line to break through the defence and, although he was pulled down just short of the line, possession was retained and McGann crashed over for his second try. Although the conversion was unsuccessful, it seemed that Whitgift now had a winning margin. However the importance of discipline even when in the lead was reinforced when Whitgift were penalised on their 22 and Warwick opted for a scrum. Play was switched to the blind side where, although Smith had difficulty in taking the pass, play was allowed to continue and Smith’s perfectly weighted kick to the corner was collected by Treasure to pull back five points. One at least of the Whitgift players apparently voiced his unhappiness at the Referee’s decision not to give a knock-on and yellow was shown.
Was there a glimmer of light for the visitors? That glimmer briefly glowed a little brighter when from a Warwick scrum on the left Smith put up a well-judged cross-kick to the right corner. Fitzgerald under pressure could not take the high ball cleanly and the ball went loose, but with the line at Warwick’s mercy they knocked on and the chance to narrow the deficit to a single score was lost.
There was just time for the home side to rub salt into the wound. After clearing to half way, Whitgift again won turnover ball and the ball was moved through the hands to the left, where a grubber kick was put in, intended for Coker. Although the wing was frustrated by the defence, possession was retained and Slevin and captain Joe Vajner combined to take play up to the 5m line, where McGann stepped through to score his third try of the game.
Whitgift now face two massive local Derbies, their classic match-up with John Fisher being played at 1st XV level on Wednesday and then facing Trinity School in the next round of the Cup. Warwick host Midlands rivals Oakham and Stamford before visiting Solihull for the next round of the Cup.
Full Time: Whitgift 34-17 Warwick
By Peter Crawshaw
Teams:
Whitgift: Bertie Heaver, Joseph Vajner (Capt), Piero Noah, George Prest, Kean Orchard, Josh Daws, Reis Norman, Gabriel Seriki, Jake Murray, Connor Slevin, Ade Coker, Niall McGann (Vice-Capt), Ioan Parry, Gon Declercq, Ben Fitzgerald
Replacements: Max Orr, Samuel Crangle
Warwick: Tom Hales, Cameron Dunn, Matthew Rigby, William Pugh, Maximillian Stanton, Adam Lane, Luke Robinson, William Banfield (Vice-Capt), Jack Aston, Finlay Smith (Capt), James Treasure, Will Callan, Harry Spencer, Thomas Patrick, William Mobberley
Replacements: Freddie Keays, Archie McCusker, Max Plumb, Harry Penney
