GUILDFORD’S finest hour, and major claim to rugby fame, was winning the inaugural Daily Mail U15 Cup in 1988, the first national Fifteens competition of its kind in the country. Trailblazers in the truest sense.
In this first-ever year of national competition there was no template to follow and RGS Guildford had to do it the hard way. It was decided that 32 counties would be represented by 32 schools and, with Surrey a powerhouse in schools rugby, a separate knockout competition was held within the county to decide who carried their flag.
So before they even played in the competition proper RGS had to beat Royal Alexander & Albert (24-0), Caterham (28-0), City of London Freemen’s (24-0), Pierrepoint (28-0), Dulwich College (6-0) and, finally, John Fisher (14-4) to earn the right to proceed. No.8 Gerrard Jackson, a lynchpin in an unusually strong pack, scored three pushover tries against Fisher.
Then came the really serious stuff. Lance McCarthy kicked three penalties in a 9-6 win over Middlesex champions London Oratory before they defeated St Joseph’s Ipswich with Neil Kent, Winta Jarvis and Russell Hill scoring tries in a hard-earned win.
In the quarter-finals Guildford overcame Richard Hale, the Hertfordshire champions and in a high quality semi-final they defeated Rossall – undefeated at U15 level for four years – 8-4 with tries from Jackson and McCarthy. All of which set up a final against Wellington College, considered overwhelming favourites on account of their brilliant backs who had been carrying all before them.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 28, 2021-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der February 28, 2021-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
