St Lawrence College produced a good response with 12 points from the tee after conceding two early scores, but two late tries from the home side gave Dunottar School a 31-17 win
With many of the main recent protagonists now entering the Continental Tyres U18 Schools Cup, the Continental Tyres U18 Schools Vase competition seems to be moving closer to the RFU’s concept of it being essentially for schools where Rugby is an emerging or developing sport. Both these sides, while making good progress, currently fit that profile. Both had also reached the third round of the Vase having only had to play one tie: Dunottar having a walkover against Riddlesdown College and St Lawrence a bye in the second round. After a sunny morning in Surrey, the clouds were arriving at game time and rain was beginning to fall as the teams emerged from the changing rooms.
The home side kicked off and gained good field position after a St Lawrence clearance kick had gone directly into touch. Winning possession from a scrum, they moved the ball through the hands to the right where full back Hamps showed good pace to break to the 22 before putting in a well weighted kick to the line and beating the defence to touch down close to the posts and add the extras himself.
The momentum stayed with Dunottar when the restart was taken dead by the wind, giving them a scrum on half way. No 8 Ogilivie picked up from the base and made some hard yards before the ball was moved through the hands on the right. Possession was maintained and good hands put wing Parkman into space on the left, and he dived over in the corner. Hamps’ touchline conversion was well struck but drifted just wide.
Finding themselves two scores down early in the game, the Kent side at last gained good field position when a 50:22 kick from full back Smith gave them an attacking line-out on the right. However a handling error gave Dunottar possession back at a scrum from which centre C. Aldridge broke powerfully into the St Lawrence half. The ball was moved swiftly through several pairs of hands and right wing Forsyth seemed set to claim a third score for the Surrey school but the referee had spotted a forward pass. Play continued inside the St Lawrence 22 with Dunottar winning an attacking lineout in the left corner, but an infringement allowed St Lawrence to clear.
Although the St Lawrence forward pack were starting to secure some possession, forcing the home side to concede two penalties, the next clear scoring opportunity again fell to Dunottar, when they took a quick tap from a penalty, scrum half Lowe linking with Ogilvie who put Parkman into space on the left and he crashed over, but the defence had got bodies back and the referee ruled that the ball had been held up.
The Kent side were able to clear from the goal line drop-out and a series of penalties conceded by Dunottar gave them good field position and Smith the chance to open the scoring for his side from the tee. The full back’s long range kick was well struck and on target. With half time approaching another penalty conceded by the Surrey school within Smith’s kicking range enabled the full back to bring St Lawrence within one score and once again he was on target.
Half-time: Dunottar School 12-6 St Lawrence College
With the rain becoming heavier both sides took the opportunity to take shelter in the changing rooms, and after they had returned the momentum continued to be with the visitors, who secured possession from the restart. Good work by the St Lawrence forward pack forced another penalty and Smith maintained his 100% record from the tee to reduce the deficit to three points.
Following the restart a clearance kick straight into touch gave Dunottar an attacking lineout on the right. With the set piece possession secured Ogilvie carried in midfield before the ball was moved through the hands to the left, where Parkman was put into space. It looked as if he might score his second try in the corner but the defence forced him into touch. Dunottar managed to steal the lineout ball and their forwards pressed close to the line. Although they were stopped short they had an attacking scrum and from that the ball was moved to C Aldridge who found a good line to score on the left. The strengthening wind took the conversion attempt just wide of the right upright.
Dunottar’s clearance from the restart was effectively run back by St Lawrence, outside centre Gurung stepping through. Although a kick to touch went out on the full, the home side continued to have problems at the breakdown and, with the wind and rain intensifying, both sides were struggling to put together multiple phases. The second of two more penalties conceded at the breakdown was within Smith’s range and another excellent kick from the tee brought St Lawrence back to within one score.
Just as it seemed possible that Dunottar might find themselves behind on the scoreboard despite having scored three tries, they rediscovered their try scoring ability. After another strong carry by Ogilvie, good handling on the left saw the ball come to C Aldridge and the centre cut through for his second try under the posts, Hamps adding the extras.
The rain continued to intensify but a momentum shift was apparent, with the home side looking the more likely to score. Although yet another penalty conceded at the breakdown gave St Lawrence an attacking line-ou in the left corner, Dunottar received possession and Hamps ran out before kicking ahead to the St Lawrence line. The ensuing goal line drop-out was run back, the two Aldridges combining and the defence were forced to concede a penalty, kicked to the corner. Possession was secured at the line-out and although the forwards were stopped short of the line, another penalty was awarded and a quick tap saw C Aldridge crash over for his second try, Hamps converting.
With the rain starting to each biblical levels, it was a relief when the referee blew for full time a few minutes later, and both players and spectators were able to take shelter. Despite Dunottar’s backs creating the lions share of try scoring opportunities, St Lawrence had kept the scoreboard ticking over and the result was in doubt until Dunottar scored their third try. They will now host another Kent side, Maidstone Grammar School in the Fourth round. That should be a close game between two currently unbeaten sides.
By Peter Crawshaw
Teams:
Dunottar School: A. Fairfoull, E. Combes, C. Cooper (Capt), T Brooker, S. Lee, J. Halford, A. Hawker, H. Ogilvie, O. Lowe, W. Aldridge, T. Parkman, C. Aldridge, J. Jackson, E. Forsyth, H. Hamps
Replacements: L. Lister, S. Parsons, W. Jameson
St Lawrence College: T. Adewole, B. Gurung (Vice-Capt), T. Choi, P. Odunfa, O. Collings, A.Yakha, C. Elliott, H. Ledger, R. Dickinson, J. White, N. Owusu Ansah, J. Cutts, S. Gurung, Freedman, E. Smith (Vice-Capt)
Replacements: J. Dudman, R. Rana, I.Umole, D.Okosun
