Epsom College took an early lead and went on to dominate their Continental Tyres Schools U18 Cup Quarter Final with a convincing 40-7 win against Radley College
Both these schools have enjoyed very successful seasons at the 1st XV level, Radley having had only one defeat, against Cranleigh, with some impressive wins against top-level opponents, including Epsom (in a block fixture), Harrow and Sherborne. Epsom had lost only to Radley and to Whitgift, both by small margins, while having an excellent run of victories against strong sides, culminating in wins in successive weeks against Cranleigh, Brighton and (in the Cup) Harrow. This looked too close to call.
Conditions were excellent, with crisp late autumn sunshine as Radley kicked off with the advantage of the slight slope. Epsom were able to kick clear but were then penalised in midfield. Although touch was initially missed by Radley from the ensuing kick, a second penalty gave them an attacking line-out in the left corner. However, that was overthrown, and Epsom took immediate advantage of the turnover ball, kicking to midfield, where full back Roberts outsprinted the defence, skilfully controlling the ball a couple of times with his boot before touching down on the left. With scrum half Garfield adding the conversion, there was effectively a 14-point swing.
With Epsom successfully managing their exit at the restart, Radley set about responding, and after an exchange of kicks, their full back Blacker took the ball at pace, setting up a ruck from which the forward pack took play into the Epsom 22. However, a handling error gave possession back to the home side at the scrum. Radley were soon back into the Epsom half, left wing Sundravadra (scorer of two tries in the previous round against Abingdon) stepping past a couple of tackles before a kick was put in behind the defence. When that was well taken by Roberts, Radley were penalised, allowing Epsom to clear. Radley were then penalised at a ruck, and Epsom kicked to touch on the right. With the ensuing lineout ball won, a well-weighted cross kick to the left was brilliantly taken, and Radley were penalised for a high tackle. From the resulting line-out in the corner, the Epsom forwards drove up to the line, but the Referee ruled that the ball had been held up. The resulting goal line drop-out was well run back by Epsom, right wing Speight stepping his way through before the ball was moved through the hands to the left. Play was taken on by the forwards, and open side flanker Frewer crashed over under the posts, Garfield adding the extras.
The exit from the restart was again managed without incident, and Epsom were able to gain good field position with a kick to the Radley goal line, which the defence was forced to touch down. From the resulting 5 metre scrum, the Epsom forwards drove to the line, but staunch defence kept them out, and the ball was held up. Again, the drop-out was effectively run back, and a deliberate knock-on gave Epsom a penalty, with a yellow card being shown. However, Epsom were unable to secure possession at the ensuing line-out, and Radley were able to clear to halfway.
Things briefly looked up for the visitors when flanker Weston stole possession and carried strongly up to the Epsom 22, and the ball was switched to the left, but Radley were penalised, and Epsom were able to clear. Once again, Epsom put boot to ball on the ground, and another fly hack threatened to deliver a score, but this time the cover defence got to the ball. However, the respite was brief, as the drop-out was run straight back, and Epsom made clinical use of their man advantage with left wing Lee crossing in the corner. Although the conversion was missed, the Surrey school were well clear as the interval was reached.
Half-time: Epsom College 19-0 Radley College
The momentum stayed with the home side following the restart, and they soon won a penalty, kicked to the right corner, but they were unable to secure the set-piece possession. It was now the turn of the Oxfordshire school to try the fly hack tactic, but the Epsom defence managed to ground the ball. The resulting drop-out was well run back by Radley, and they won successive penalties, both kicked to touch in the right corner. However, they were unable to capitalise, and when the ball was moved through the hands, Epsom inside centre Garner intercepted and sprinted clear from inside his own half to score under the posts. Garfield converting.
The next score was not long in coming, Epsom winning possession at a scrum in midfield and making good use of the first-phase ball to move the ball through the hands on the left, Roberts crossing under the posts for his second try of the game and Garfield converting. The game was now opening up, and Epsom again threatened on the left, and although Radley managed to intercept, they were unable to capitalise. When a Radley lineout was lost, the pressure was back on, and the ball was gathered by Epsom No 8 Fleming, who forced his way over close to the posts, Garfield taking the score into the 40’s.
With both sides having gone to their benches, Epsom looked to increase their advantage still further. It seemed that, after initial pressure on the right, Lee might have scored his second try when play was switched to the left, but the Referee had seen a forward pass. Play continued in the Radley 22 but without addition to the score, until, with time running out, Radley right wing Brooks saw an opportunity when a pass went astray and seized the ball before racing clear to give his side a consolation try under the posts.
The margin of victory was a big surprise. Radley never really got going, and Epsom were on top form, with accurate handling and excellent support play. They might easily have had a couple more scores. They now face Whitgift, winners against Sir Thomas Rich’s with a last-minute penalty, again at Aylesbury RFC on 7thMarch. They will complete their block fixtures, Epsom hosting Hurstpierpoint and Radley travelling to Tonbridge.
Full-time Epsom College 40-7 Radley College
By Peter Crawshaw
Teams:
Epsom College: Leutert, Michael, Trytsman, Beswick, Bird, Wright, Frewer (Vice-Capt), Fleming, Garfield, Conway-Sparks, Lee, Garner, Springate (Capt), Speight, Roberts
Replacements: Antrobus, Axiom, Handley. Lappin, Swinhoe
Radley College: Crean, Carpigo, Jordan-Willis, Best, du Plessis (Capt), Weston, Carpigo, Oliver, Rugg, Renders, Sundavadra, Jervis, Kennedy, Brooks, Blacker
Replacements: Fullalove, Acloque, Murphy, Balding
