Hampton School and Seaford College braved torrential rain, with the West London school running out winners by a score of 24-6.
The Daily Mail Trophy for 2022/23 got off to a start under Friday night lights on the all-weather pitch at Cobham RFC, with a clash between the 1st XVs of two schools (the remainder of the block fixture being played the following day) that had impressed against quality opposition last season. Both sides had been thwarted in their plans for a warm-up fixture by the cancellation of the Couth Coast Kings tournament, but Hampton had the benefit of a side with considerable 1st XV Rugby experience, nine of the team having played in the narrow defeat to Harrow in last season’s National U18 Cup. They are also able to include London Irish Academy centre Finlay Wiseman, still an U17. Seaford have a team drawn predominantly from the Lower VIth, though they have, in Twitchen, and Staples, two of this summer’s Harlequins U18 Academy front row.
Heavy rain before the start had abated a little as Seaford kicked off and the Sussex side were quick to get on the scoreboard. After an attempted Hampton clearance kick had been charged down, Hampton were penalised and centre Oscar Haywood duly took the three points of offer from the tee. Given the conditions it was no surprise that both sides were looking to their kicking game as the principal tactic. A well weighted Seaford kick saw Hampton forced to take a goal line drop-out but, after a further exchange of kicks, good chasing by Hampton saw them win an attacking lineout in the left corner. An excellent tackle by the Seaford defence kept them out and forced a knock-on, giving Seaford the put-in at the scrum. However, the ball squirted out and was claimed by Hampton who moved the ball through the hands into midfield where flanker Joshua Acela broke through and crashed over under the posts, centre Zack Gellatley adding the extras.
The momentum was now with the Middlesex side, who gained good field position on the right, before a perfectly judged kick to the left corner was well taken on the full by captain and full back Cameron Hill who ran in to score on the left. The conversion was a less straightforward one, but Gellatley was again on target.
After changes of possession in midfield Seaford broke out of defence and an initial break by Minton was taken on by the forwards, and Hampton were forced to concede a penalty on their 22, with Haywood reducing the deficit from the tee. The Sussex side worked hard to follow that up, with scrum half Arthur Chads making several breaks, but the interval was reached without further addition to the score despite a temporary lull in the rain.
Half-time: Hampton School 14-6 Seaford College
After the restart was run back by Seaford Hampton were able to gain field position with a kick to the left corner, but Seaford were able to win the ensuing line-out and relieve the pressure. Unfortunately, they found themselves on the back foot when they were reduced to 14 players after the referee had apparently spotted foul play on halfway and shown yellow. A further penalty at the breakdown saw Gellatley attempt a long-range kick but that drifted just wide. Hampton continued to enjoy good field position, taking play close to the line on the left, but a handling error allowed Seaford to recover and clear.
The respite was temporary when Seaford were again penalised at the breakdown. This time, again from long range but with a slightly more favourable angle for a right footed kicker, Gellatley was successful from the tee. Wiseman showed his running skills, stepping through after the restart, and, although possession was lost, a second yellow card saw Seaford reduced to 13 players. Hampton made the most of that advantage, continuing to dominate possession and territory and good hands on the left saw Wiseman cut through to score, Gellatley adding the conversion.
The rain was now becoming heavy again and Seaford redoubled their efforts to narrow the deficit, reaching the Hampton 22, but were penalised at the breakdown, giving Hampton the chance to clear. Their kick from hands was prevented from reaching touch, being tapped back on halfway, and there appeared to have been a well judged 50:22 giving the Sussex school an attacking lineout in the right corner. After a query from the Hampton captain and checking by the referee, the decision was reversed and Hampton were given the throw in at the lineout. Presumably it had been determined that the tap back had been made in the Hampton half. With the rain now reaching torrential levels, it was unlikely that a further score would come, though it was Hampton’s turn to lose a player to a yellow card. Seaford made one last foray into the Hampton 22, winning an attacking line-out on the right, but the ball was lost, and a succession of fly hacks enabled Hampton to clear their lines.
Although the score may have exaggerated the balance of play a little, Hampton were deserved winners, They took their chances well and their game management was excellent, Brownloader’s kicking from hand playing a key part, as it had done in the second half comeback against Harrow in last season’s Cup. They now face another Friday night game on neutral ground, against Brighton College, before hosting neighbours St Paul’s in the Cup at the end of the month. The young Seaford side, despite the score line, will have gained valuable experience and can look forward to meeting perennial rivals RGS High Wycombe in the Cup, though they must first face stern tests at home to Epsom and Wellington.
Full-time: Hampton School 24-6 Seaford College
By Peter Crawshaw
Teams:
Hampton School: Daniel Haarhoff, Henry Langrish (Vice-Capt), Ollie Tynan, Thomas Cowin, Henry Donaldson, Sam Ho, Joshua Acela (Vice-Capt), James Morgan, Freddie Skinner, Jamie Brownleader, Nico Luckman, Zack Gellatley, Finlay Wiseman, Tom Williams, Cameron Hill (Capt)
Replacements: Nicholas Allen, Matt Venner, Theodore Tyler-Low, Frank Hall, Hal Lewis, Marcus Taylor, Max Cardosi
Seaford College: Richard Twitchen, Jimmy Staples (Vice-Capt), Ethan Davies, Harry Foster, Harry Bostock, Tom Dickin, Alexander Philp, Fraser Lyne (Capt), Arthur Chads, Rory Minton, Finley West, Liam Boyle, Oscar Haywood (Vice-Capt), George Key, Oliver Bradford
Replacements: Rowan Sweeney, Josh Warner, Luke Cassar, Harry Whitehouse, Alex Challinor, Hamish Williams
