Kirkham Grammar School and Harrow School will contest the Continental Tyres Schools Cup U18 Cup Final at Twickenham Stadium on 14th March. That game will be preceded earlier in the day by the U18 Vase Final between Felsted School and Ivybridge Community College.

Day 1 of the festival of Rugby at Aylesbury RUFC comprised the Semi-Finals of the Continental Tyres Schools Cup U18 Cup and Vase Competitions. Despite adverse weather overnight conditions, with some parts of the country experiencing torrential rain and others waking up to a covering of snow, there were clear skies at the time of kick-off, though thanks were in order for the 4G pitch with the surrounding natural turf pitches unplayable.

Felsted opened proceedings with a thrilling 16-14 win in the Vase competition over Durham, the result in doubt until literally the final play of the game. That was followed by a closely fought game in which Ivybridge benefited from clinical finishing to overcome Mill Hill by a score of 23-0.

Moving on to the Cup competition, Kirkham Grammar took an early lead against Bromsgrove. Still, the Midlands-based school levelled the scores and although Kirkham re-established their lead, they could not open a significant gap, and the quality of play from both sides was of the highest order. The result remained in doubt until the end, with the Northern side in front 19-14 at the final whistle.

In the last game of the day, Blundell’s were back at Aylesbury in the semi-finals for the second year in a row: in 2023 they were probably seen as underdogs against holders Trinity but led at half time threatening an upset. They now faced another strongly fancied side in the shape of an unbeaten Harrow that had recorded overwhelming wins in the two previous rounds. Harrow were missing some key players but the strength of their squad is exceptional and they dominated the opening minutes to open up a 20-0 lead. Blundell’s gradually restored some equilibrium but the scoreboard was kept ticking over by both sides so the result was never in doubt, and full-time was reached with Harrow convincing winners by a 39-14 score.

U18 Vase – Semi-Final 1

This was a classic North vs South (although Felsted were drawn in the Midlands B Group, they are based in Essex) matchup between two schools that had not previously faced each other. Felsted had reached this stage with some close score lines including a win over St Albans with a last-minute penalty. Durham had also had some close calls in the Vase but had only lost one 70-minute game this season, so potentially looked the stronger side on paper.

Felsted made a strong start, taking play deep into the Durham half and, although good defence initially kept them out, their inside centre Charles Morley cut through to score. Wing Harry Courts had been resolute in landing the crucial penalty against St Albans and was to play a crucial part in this game,but the conversion was a tricky one and it drifted wide. Felsted looked likely to increase their lead but were unable to get over the line and Durham were soon back into the game, forcing a couple of penalties and beginning to take control of the line-out, their England U18 second-row Patrick Hogg the go-to man on their throw and a major nuisance to Felsted on theirs. Finally, the pressure told, hooker Jack Thornton carrying strongly from a maul on the right before the ball came to No 8 and captain Dan Toole who crashed over on the right, fly-half James Lithgoe adding the extras to give his side the lead.

Durham continued to enjoy good field position and after stealing a Felsted line-out they came close to scoring and the Essex school were reduced to 14 men when the Referee showed yellow. That disadvantage was overcome as Felsted broke out of defence and good offloading in midfield was followed by slick handling on the right which enabled centre Marcus Windsor to squeeze in at the corner. The momentum stayed with Felsted as they ran out the restart, prop Owen Gillett carrying strongly, and they again took play up to the line but they were held up. With the resulting goal line drop-out going directly into touch, Felsted had another chance to score but were unable to capitalise.and the interval was reached without further scores.

Back at full strength, Felsted had a chance to extend their lead from a penalty but Courts’ kick fell just short. However, he was on target with a second opportunity shortly afterwards. After an exchange of kicks Felsted were penalised near halfway and although the ensuing kick did not find touch the ball was knocked on by the defence, giving Durham an attacking scrum in the left corner. Toole picked up from the base and offloaded to Hogg who made ground towards the posts, and the ball came to flanker Herbie Hay who forced his way over to score under the posts, Lythgoe converting.

Finding themselves behind again and with the clock ticking down, Felsted forced a penalty in midfield and were able to win possession from the ensuing line-out on the Durham 22. The pressure was maintained by the forwards through multiple phases and eventually, the defence were forced to concede a penalty. Courts kept his composure and was successful with his kick from the tee to put his side back into the lead by two points.

With only a few minutes left Felsted managed to regain possession and looked to run the clock down while keeping play in midfield, but a handling error gave Durham the put-in at a scrum and after two resets Durham were awarded a free kick. A tap was taken, from which  Felsted were forced to concede a penalty. With the referee indicating the final play, the decision to go for the points was understandable although the kick was a long one, close to the touchline near the 10m line and into the slight breeze. Inside centre Ajay Edwards stepped up and although the kick was well struck it drifted left of the posts, where it was knocked on by the defence and the referee blew for full time.

Durham School: Tom Thirkell, Jack Thornton, Sam Graham (Vice Capt), George Bolam, Patrick Hogg, William Mallatratt, Herbie Hay, Dan Toole (Capt), Alex Huntley, James Lythgoe (Vice Capt), Jackson Modral. Ajay Edwards, Will Henderson, Jack McBurnie, Louis Myers-Lewis

Replacements: Will Cahill, Jackson Smurthwaite, Euan Oakes, Matthew Hogan, George Fishwick

Felsted School:  Owen Gillett, Monty Cooper (Capt), Peter Scofield, Reece Meter, Dylan Reynolds, Jo Hendler, Ned Sheppard, Jesse Cotterill (Vice Capt), Noah Collar, James Lythgoe (Vice Capt), Harry Courts, Charles Morley, Marcus Windsor, Aiden Pearson, Max Wiseman

Replacements: Jack Lennon, Ethan Le Chevalier, Dylan Streeter

U18 Vase – Semi-Final 2

This game was contested between two sides that had not previously faced each other. Ivybridge have a local focus outside the Vase competition, while Mill Hill compete against a number of strong schools in the Daily Mail Trophy through their week-end side. Ivybridge kicked off and soon regained possession, winning a scrum on halfway from which they took play inside the Mill Hill half, where they won a penalty and fly-half Harry Sadler was on target from the tee. The territorial advantage was maintained and Sadler soon added a second penalty to stretch the lead..

Mill Hill looked to overcome these early setbacks with some good running by flanker Edgar Gibson and excellent offloading on the left, Although a handling error gave possession back to the Devon school. Ivybridge were penalised and from the ensuing line-out in the corner, Mill Hill reached the line but were held up. The pressure was maintained after the goal line drop-out and the defence were forced to concede a penalty but fly-half Toby Skelly’s kick from the tee went wide and after the resulting drop-out the North London side’s task became harder when the referee showed yellow. The interval was reached without further addition to the score.

With Mill Hill back to full strength they enjoyed some territorial advantage early in the second half, but Ivybride broke out and Sadler had a chance to add to his tally from the tee but his kick went wide. After an exchange of kicks, Ivybridge recovered possession and a well-directed grubber by Sadler gave them an attacking line-out inside the Mill Hill 22. From a subsequent set scrum, No 8 and Captain Max Bryen picked up from the base and after further forward pressure replacement Diego Lerro crashed over to score, Sadler converting.

With the restart not going 10 metres the momentum stayed with Ivybridge, who took play deep into the Mill Hill 22. Although they were kept out by good defence and play was taken back to halfway, good handling on the right saw Ivybridge back into good field position and, when the ball was switched into midfield, replacement Louis Tout found an excellent line to cut through on the left before offloading to fellow replacement Will Lane who scored close to the posts, Sadlet converting. Mill Hill worked hard to get on the scoreboard but were unable to create any clear opportunities and the only further addition to the scoreboard was via another kick from the tee by Sadler to give his side a 23-0 victory and a trip to Twickenham to face Felsted.

Ivybridge Community College: Jake Bracher, Ed Lauri, Ben Winters, Fin Hamilton, Jake Mackenzie, Joe Roberts, Ollie Lane (Vice Capt), Max Bryan (Capt), Charlie Moody, Harry Sadler (Vice Capt), Charlie Earnshaw, Charlie Bosanko, Jamie Campbell, James Pullan, Jack Guyver

Replacements: Diego Lerro, Kian Hopper, Louis Tout, James Cantin, Will Lane

Mill Hill School: Benji Cramer, Luca Moncaster, Harry Emms, Finlay Donald, Charles Saffer, Luke Rigby, Edgar Gibson, Harry O’keefe (Vice Capt), Rafi Feldman, Toby Skelly (Capt), Louis Collinge, Alistair Lechartier-Rutter, Noah Caluori, Calin Thompson, Rafael Varona Blakstad (Vice Capt)

Replacements: Noah Sawdy, Hugh Morrison, Saugat Pun

U18 Cup – Semi-Final 1

There was a buzz of anticipation around the ground as Bromsgrove and Kirkham took the field, both schools having been finalists in recent years, Bromsgrove ending Dulwich’s run of wins in 2015 and retaining the trophy the following year and Kirkham runners up to Trinity two seasons ago. Neither had lost a full-length game this season. Kirkham were without their first-choice fly-half Ollie Davies but their other two England U18 squad members, flankers Jos Gilmore and captain Seb Kelly were starting.

Bromsgrove kicked off and quickly established a good field position when Kirkham were penalised, giving the Midlands side an attacking lineout on the right, but the defence was able to clear. Bromsgrove inside centre Henry Parsons gave an early indication of his running skills after fielding a Kirkham kick but Bromsgrove were penalised. Kirkham made the most of the ensuing line-out on the right, winning the set piece and moving the ball through the hands into midfield. Although progress was stopped, possession was retained at a set scrum, where Kelly picked up from the base and forced his way over for the opening try, Fly half Rhys Hulse, who had an excellent game, added the conversion.

The Kirkham lead was almost reduced from the restart when they were penalised but Parsons’ well-struck kick from the tee drifted wide. However, another opportunity was presented, when a Kirkham kick was carried dead by the wind and the bounce of the 4G surface, giving Bromsgrove an attacking lineout on the right. Good handling saw play switched to the left and Parsons found a lovely line to cut through and score under the posts, adding the extras himself.

After Kirkham had gained good field position with a line-out on the left, inside centre Alex Smith found a good line to cut through but was stopped. Although Bromsgrove were able to recover possession they were unable to clear to halfway, with a kick charged down and Kirkham winning an attacking lineout on the left. The ensuing maul got good traction and hooker Jack Austin claimed the try. Although the conversion attempt from close to the touchline was unsuccessful, this meant that Kirkham reached the interval with a five-point lead.

With the game so close it was likely that the next score would be crucial and both defences were successful in disrupting attempts to put together multiple phases. Bromsgrove had a chance to break the deadlock after a period of pressure with good handling on the left, but Kirkham were able to recover and a long clearance kick took play back to the Bromsgrove 22. When Bromsgrove were penalised Kirkham kicked to the right corner, giving an attacking platform. They put that to good use, Kelly breaking off from the lineout and the pick-and-go tactic culminated in replacement Charlie Bray forcing his way over, Hulse converting.

This looked like the decisive score but Bromsgrove were not finished. After strong running by wing Josh Haughton play was taken on by Parsons, who linked with left wing George Hasting. Although Kirkham were able to recover possession and clear to halfway, a knock-on gave Bromsgrove the put-in at a scrum, The first-phase ball was effectively used with good handling on the left, and Parsons showed excellent speed to cut through before offloading to flanker Jack Gilbert who dived in to score in the right corner. Parsons made light of the difficult touchline conversion to narrow the gap to five points.

Kirkham’s game management in the remaining few minutes was sufficient to see off any further scoring opportunities Although a wonderful rainbow appeared beyond the East touchline, that did not presage any last-minute drama, Kirkham stealing possession at a Bromsgrove line-out on halfway and clearing to touch to end the game and secure their place in the final.

Bromsgrove School: Manobal Limbu, Harrison Osborne (Vice Capt), Ollie Holden, Markuss Townsend-Ford. Owen Hill, Jack Gilbert, Kingsley Ried, James Hobbs, Ben Benson

Ben Yeo (Capt), George Hasting, Henry Parsons, Brendan Colley, Josh Haughton Toby Lewis

Replacements: Frazer Jones, Tom Tansley, Krystof Wood

Kirkham Grammar School: Saif Amr, Jack Austin. Jack Chapman, Henry Whitton, Finlay Shawcross-Clough, Jos Gilmore, Seb Kelly (Capt), Monty Loggenberg. Harry Tomlinson, Rhys Hulse, Ben Firth, Alex Smith, James Stacey, Oliver Greenwood, Sam Lentas

Replacements: Morgan Dryhurst Jones, Asper Johnson, Wills Gut, Charlie Bray, Will Kelse, Harry Reay

U18 Cup – Semi-Final 2

Harrow School have been in dominant form this season, translating the style with which they won the 2023 Rosslyn Park 7s to the 15-a-side game, and are the top-ranked school in the country in most if not all of the published rankings. Although they were without a couple of their usual starting side including captain Kepu Tuipulotu, they started the game as strong favourites and they began the game seemingly intent on confirming that, forcing a penalty from the kick-off with fly half and captain Filip Edstrom taking the three points from the tee.

That was followed by excellent handling, centre and England U18 squad member Charlie Griffin finding an excellent line to break through on the left before offloading to wing Zachary Uduehi who scored in the corner. There was no let-up from the restart, slick handling on the left releasing wing Cameron Knight to score in the left corner, Edstrom landing the touchline conversion. Although Blundell’s were briefly able to get their hands on the ball at the lineout, they were again penalised. Harrow secured possession at the ensuing lineout and No. 8 Reggie Hammick carried strongly before the ball was recycled and moved to Uduehi who added a second try on the right, to give Harrow a 20-point lead after less than 15 minutes, to the evident delight of their vociferous group of supporters.

To their credit, Blundell’s stuck to their game plan despite the opening avalanche of points for the North London side. After forcing a penalty they gained good field position on the left and although Harrow wer able to clear a well-taken 50:22 gave them another attacking lineout on the right. After some progress at the ensuing maul play was switched to midfield where Harrow were penalised. A quick tap was taken and flanker Archie Joiner drove over to score, fly-half Lucas Yapp converting.

Having at least stabilised the situation Blundell’s needed to score next in order to put any pressure on Harrow. Although Edstrom was unable to convert another penalty following the restart, the Devon side were unable to create another scoring opportunity before the interval and it was Harrow who scored next when Blundell’s were penalised, giving Harrow an attacking lineout in the left corner. From the ensuing maul, Hammick drove over to score Harrow’s third try.

Replacement Guy Paton-Smith soon made an impact for Harrow as the second half began, first breaking on the left and then combining with Griffin and Uduehi to come close to scoring in the corner. Although the pressure was briefly relieved, Harrow were soon back again inside the Blundell’s 22, with an attacking scrum on the right. The first phase ball was moved to the left where Uduehi squeezed in at the corner to complete his hat-trick, Edstrom landing the touchline conversion.

With much of the second half having been played and facing a 25-point deficit, the game was lost for them, but Blundell’s were not finished. After good handling on the left and running by left-wing Hector Banton, the forward pack drove up to the line and prop Jamie Stewart crashed over to score by the posts, Yapp converting. Harrow were soon back on the attack, forcing successive penalties, from the second of which a driving mail was set up. Desperate attempts to stop that eventually resulted in the referee running under the posts to award a penalty try which completed the scoring.

A Harrow vs Kiirkham match-up is probably the final that most neutral observers will have wished for: a South vs North match up between the two top rated schools in the Country.

Blundell’s School: Jamie Stewart, Harry Hann, Jake Power, Harry Southgate, Jonah Thomas, Arthur Guyot, Archie Joiner, James Clarkson (Capt), Harrison Blake-Pead, Lucas Yapp (Vice Capt), Hector Banton, Will Maunder, Jack Clover, Seb Linnitt, Rocky Prowse

Replacements: Johnny O’Brien, Toby Butler, Archie Oram-Evennett, Alastair Metson

Harrow School: Oliver Chambers, St John Smith, James Talamai, Sammy Clayton-Bennett, Rob McCorquodale, Henry Dargan, Ashton Ilincic, Reggie Hammick (Vice Capt), Freddie, Dinan, Filip Edstrom (Capt). Cameron Knight. Charlie Griffin (Vice Capt), George Simpson, Zachary Uduehi, Patrick Keaveney

Replacements: Archie Young, Hal Hersee, Andrew Stratton, Charlie Hope, Guy Paton-Smith

Continental Tyres Schools Cup Finals:

U18 Cup: Kirkham Grammar v Harrow

U18 Vase: Felsted v Ivybridge Community College

By Peter Crawshaw