Finborough sensationally claimed the Merchsiton Castle School U18 Rugby Festival with a fantastic performance against Barnard Castle in the final, winning 26-7 to seal the Trophy.
In glorious sunshine in Edinburgh the rugby matched the setting and the sunshine, with some utterly sublime rugby played throughout the two days of action. It was a reminder of the magic of the school game, the spirit and excitement on and off the field a joy for all to behold.
Credit to the hosts, Merchiston Castle School, for putting on such a superb tournament that really encouraged all sides to throw everything at it.
The hosts were involved in the moment on Day 2 that really signified that this was going to be an unpredictable day when, in the opening Trophy Quarter Final, they were unexpectedly bettered in an epic tussle with Marr College. That was to prove just the start of the drama.
Finborough, meanwhile, had to dig incredibly deep in their quarter final against the surprise package of the tournament, RGS Newcastle, 12-7. Meanwhile Barnard Castle were looking every inch the team to beat with their 28-0 victory over Dame Allan’s, though Oakham’s 10-0 defeat of Strathallan, many people’s pick of the teams at the end of Saturday, put plenty of sides on notice.
The semi finals where where things really tightened up though, Barnard Castle overcoming a Marr College side that is going to head home feeling incredibly proud of their efforts, and Finborough beating Oakham by a single score, 5-0, in a titanic physical battle.
All four semi finalists emerged with huge credit and the nervous tension and excitement around the grounds at Merchiston Castle was filling the air.
In the final though, Finborough round their best. England winger Charlie Tamani had been a menace all tournament but exploded further into life in the final, scoring a hat-trick as part of an astonishing 26-7 victory over Barnard Castle, securing the Player of the Tournament award in the process.
Barney through everything at it, they could not have given more through the weekend. They will head home gutted, but also proud. Never before had they reached the Trophy stage, and yet here they marched all the way to the final, arguably playing some of the best rugby of the tournament.
In the final though they simply came up against an inspired Finborough side. This school from a sleepy corner of Suffolk boomed out into the national stage in sensational fashion. Rugby there has grown and grown in recent times, and only a coupe of years ago they reached the Continental Tyres U18 Schools Cup semis with a side containing Junior Kpoku. However this level up even further, two intense days of rugby, culminating in the biggest rugby achievement in Finborough’s history.
They did it the right way, too. A fantastic group of players with a real sense of unity on and off the field. Tellingly at the end of the final the team would not begin their huddle until every member had finished media duties. They wanted to celebrate as one. That is what this group of young men are all about.
On the field they were all about verve and vigour, but they showed they had the other side too in those gritty quarter final and semi final victories. In the final they showed off their all-court game – and what an all court game it is.
Frankly though, it could have been 3-0, it was all about the outcome and that spirit that took them to it. An historic moment for Finborough created by this group of players and coaches, an achievement and memory to savour forever.
Elsewhere, Merchiston Castle bounced back from their Trophy quarter final defeat to win the Plate, meeting Strathallan in the final after both had been sensational in the semis, Strath beating RGS Newcastle 31-0 and Merchiston beating Dame Allan’s 14-0. The final was an epic, level and 7-7 and heading into Golden Point, where Scotland fly half Jake Dalziel landed a sweet drop goal for the victory. An epic moment on which to end for the hosts. Strathallan will reflect on a strong weekend too though, heading into next weekend’s St Joseph’s Festival, where they could make a significant impact.
Over in the Bowl Boroughmuir claimed the spoils and had a dramatic moment of their own. After beating Dulwich College in their Quarter Final, they landed a last gasp drop goal of their own to beat George Watson’s College in the quarter finals. IN the final they faced St Peter’s York, who were quietly impressive all day, beating Scarborough College and a good Sherborne side to reach the final. Boroughmuir were in brilliant form in the final though, playing wonderfully well for a 19-7 victory.
The Shield, meanwhile, was Durham seal victory, beating Dulwich College in the semis to face Scarborough College in the final, who had beaten Ampleforth College in their semi final. It was a cracking performance from Durham, who could so easily have been mixing it in the Trophy, sealing the Shield with a 14-0 victory.
It all played its part in the most fantastic weekend of rugby at Merchiston Castle School, a quite brilliant tournament in the most majestic of settings. It was capped by the performances of the likes of Barnard Castle, Oakham, Marr College, Merchiston, and Strathallan, who will all head off with heads held very high.
The crowing glory and final word though must go to Finborough. An outstanding team, a brilliant group of young men, a fantastic and hard-working coaching staff that give everything to this group, and an achievement that will go down in Finborough School legend.
Merchiston Castle School U18 Rugby Festival
Knockout Results:
Trophy
Trophy Final: Finborough 26-7 Barnard Castle
Semi Finals: Finborough 5-0 Oakham, Marr College 0-8 Barnard Castle
Quarter Finals: Merchiston Castle 12-15 Marr College, Barnard Castle 28-0 Dame Allan’s, Finborough 12-7 RGS Newcastle, Strathallan 0-10 Oakham
Plate
Plate Final: Merchiston Castle 10-7 Strathallan
Semi Finals: RGS Newcastle 0-31 Strathallan, Merchiston Castle 14-0 Dame Allan’s
Bowl
Bowl Final: Boroughmuir 19-7 St Peter’s, York
Semi Finals: George Watson’s 7-10 Boroughmuir, Sherborne 10-13 St Peter’s York
Quarter Finals: Durham 0-12 George Watson’s College, Boroughmuir 14-3 Dulwich College, Ampleforth College 5-20 Sherborne, St Peter’s 7-0 Scarborough College
Shield
Shield Final: Durham 14-0 Scarborough College
Semi Finals: Dulwich College 0-21 Durham, Ampleforth College 7-18 Scarborough College
Final Group Standings
| Pos | Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 | Group 4 |
| 1 | Merchiston Castle | Finborough | Barnard Castle | Strathallan |
| 2 | RGS Newcastle | Marr College | Oakham | Dame Allan’s |
| 3 | Durham | Ampleforth College | Boroughmuir | St Peter’s York |
| 4 | Sherborne | George Watson’s | Scarborough | Dulwich College |
