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Hereford Sixth Form College’s rugby team has enjoyed a splendid season, which culminated in their being just two games away from playing at Twickenham.

 

Good form throughout the season saw the team win its way through to the quarter-finals of the Daily Mail Under-18 Vase, a prestigious national competition keenly contested by the rugby-playing schools and colleges. Over 1000 schools and colleges took part in the competition this year, a competition in which Engalnd players such as Jonny Wilkinson, Mike Tindall, Richard Hill, Ollie Barkley, Steve Borthwick, Andrew Sheridan, Lee Mears, Charlie Hodgson, and Mathew Tait have gained valuable rugby knowledge and experience through the years. All look back fondly on the opportunity to play in such a strong competition.

 

It is the first time the College has reached these heady heights, an indication of the good competitive rugby played by the team in this campaign.

 

The College’s ambition of a Twickenham final was ultimately dented by Marling School, Stroud who went on to win the quarter-final round by 22 points to 13, after College had been first to get its name on to the score sheet.

 

After just nine minutes HSFC took the lead after Will Cook crossed the try line, his fine try being converted by Matt Anstey. 

 

The first half was keenly contested with HSFC perhaps just having the edge for much of the half after scoring their opening points.

 

However, Marling was lifted by the cheers of a packed touch-line, the 500 crowd being noticeably home supporters and, understandably, partisan.

 

Marling also enjoyed an advantage in having a heavier scrum. And their front row – all of whom have played for Glos Under-18s - began to make their experience tell. In the set scrums they frequently won the ball against the head.

 

Marling’s response in fact came from a powerful forward surge which led to their first try, but Anstey’s penalty kick swung the initiative back to HSFC, with the score at 10-5 in the College’s favour. At this stage of the match it was, perhaps, a fair reflection of the teams’ fortunes.

 

But then, just short of the interval, Marling scored another try, which was converted and allowed them the luxury of going to the interval holding a narrow points advantage of 12-10.

 

Following the break, Marling’s forward dominance began to tell, and HSFC had to work hard for their share of the ball. A third Marling try soon after the break stretched the home side’s lead to 17-10. When College won the ball the backs looked threatening and showed themselves capable of exciting breaks to the try-line but, heartened by their forwards’ display, Marling defended resolutely.

 

A further Matt Anstey penalty reduced Marling’s lead, and encouraged HSFC to believe the result could be theirs, a prospect which, ultimately, was denied them by a late Marling try.

 

College Coach, Andy Douthwaite said, “It was our first time in the quarter-finals and the lads did extremely well. When they have got over their disappointment they will look back and realise just how well they’ve done. Marvellous though it would have been to get to Twickenham, they can all – coaches included – be very proud of what we have achieved.”