Epsom College U15s were clinical in their finishing and overcame Richard Challoner School, Kingston by a score of 33-0 to move into the quarter-finals of London & SE Group A in the U15 Schools Cup

The National Schools Cup competition can pit well-established names against less well-known school teams, providing the chance of an upset. Richard Challoner School had moved through the first round with a comfortable win, putting over 50 points on the board against City of London Freemen’s. In the second round they had drawn a home fixture against another fellow Surrey school, Epsom College, who had put out St George’s College Weybridge by a similar score.

Following a few days of seemingly incessant rain it was good to see the late afternoon kick-off take place in the sunshine. After winning turnover ball the Epsom forwards drove deep into the Richard Challoner 22 but tenacious defence saw the home side force a turnover close to the line and run possession out before putting in a grubber kick to clear. That was run back by wing Will Springett but the defence forced another turnover and after hard yards had been made by the No 8 Tomiya Massimi, Epsom conceded a scrum. With the home side winning possession from the set-piece, captain and hooker Ryan Cortibatarte Galarzka broke through to halfway before offloading to wing Bernard Osei Asibey. He combined well with centre Fin Heneghan on the left but the ball went forward and from the ensuing scrum Springett found a good line to break through to the 22. Although he was stopped, further forward pressure took play close to the line in the left corner before play was switched to the right and second-row Thomas Curham, who had already caught the eye with good work at the breakdown, strode through to open the scoring. Centre William Raymond was successful with the touchline conversion.

Although Richard Challoner were penalised at the restart, turnover ball game them the chance to move the ball through the hands on the right, wing Mathais Bergin showing good pace. However Epsom were able to recover possession and full-back George Holmes found a great line and outpaced the defence before being pulled down just short of the line. Good retention saw the forwards drive on before the ball was moved to the right and tight-head prop John Esson crashed over for the second try. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful.

The home side had a great chance to respond straight from the restart when full-back Finn Haughey ran back a clearance kick and Epsom were penalised and an attacking line-out set up in the right corner. With that won, the Challenor forwards drove to the line, but good defence saw Epsom recover possession and second-row Kevin Gyamfi kicked clear. Successive penalties conceded by the home side enabled Epsom to gain good field position on the right and, although the ball was turned over just short of the line, a strong carry by No 8 Lucas Schmid took play back to the 5m line. An attacking scrum looked like bringing a third try when the forwards drove to the line, but, although the defence recovered possession, the attempt to run out of defence saw the ball go forward and Schmid recovered to dive over for the third try, Raymond converting.

Half-time: Richard Challoner School 0-19 Epsom College

The Kingston based school worked hard for an opening after the interval. Although good Epsom tackling prevented Massimi from making progress in midfield, further good work by Galarzka and Osei Asibey generated some momentum and when Epsom were penalised for a high tackle an attacking line-out was set up on the Epsom 22. With possession won from the set-piece another penalty enabled the home side to use flanker Thomas Duffell on successive carries to take play close to the line, but good defence enabled Epsom to recover possession and clear to halfway.

Having been forced to defend, Epsom looked for another score, winning a penalty and setting up a line-out in the right corner. Although that was won and the ball moved through the hands to the left, Epsom were penalised and the pressure relieved. That relief was short-lived, as the visitors regained good field position from a kick to the corner by captain and fly-half Kit Temperley. Although Challenor won possession from the set-piece the tactic of trying to run out from their own line again produced an unintended outcome as the ball was dropped and Schmid was able to gather it and crash over for his second try.

After further Epsom pressure on the right, the defence had greater success, turning over possession and Heneghan and Massimi combining to take play up to halfway, where more good work by Duffell saw Epsom penalised. However, touch was missed and Epsom were able to clear. Temperley’s kicking game continued to function well, and, after a clearance kick by Richard Challoner had been run back by the speedy Holmes, play was switched to the right and Springett cut through to score by the posts, Raymond again converting.

The final score did not really reflect the competitive nature of the game, and I doubt that anyone would have begrudged the home side converting a couple of the good scoring opportunities that they managed to create. They responded well to the physical challenge, defending well and working hard throughout to create a score. Epsom, with a stronger fixture list, seemed the more accustomed to the pressure of Cup rugby and their game management was the main difference. They move on to an away fixture at Wimbledon College and will be aware that Harrow School, who put them out in this competition are in the top half of the draw in this group.

Full-time: Richard Challoner School 0-33 Epsom College

By Peter Crawshaw

Teams:

Richard Challoner School U15s: Matthew De Jose, Ryan Cortibatarte Galarzka (Capt), Billy Thomspon, Oskar Wilks, Alex Bray, Kiernan McPaul Jarvis, Thomas Duffell, Tomiya Massimi,

Matt Fuller, Mauro Miller, Mathais Bergin, Fin Heneghan, Niall McCormack, Bernard Osei Asibey, Finn Haughey

Replacements: Federico Towler- Baldacci, Joshua Mimnagh, John Dunleavy, Chaz Green, Antoine Bauer

Epsom College U15s: Fred Copus, Charlie Berendji, John Esson, Thomas Curham, Kevin Gyamfi, Jasper Lawler, Callum Sharp, Lucas Schmid (Vice-Capt), Harry Addington, Kit Temperley (Capt), William Harris, William Raymond, Fraser Law, Will Springett, George Holmes

Replacements: Ollie Curwen, Tom Cunningham, Thomas Williams. Jonathan Harris