Northampton School for Boys………….38
Tries: Fox 7, Shields 26, Tarry 30, 33, 39, Tonga’ uiha 41
Conversions: Shields 8, 30+1, 34, 40
King’s College Wimbledon………………..21
Tries: Rawlinson 3, 12, Dickinson 56
Conversions: Rawlinson 4, 13, 57
Northampton School for boys pulled off a devastating comeback inspired by hat-trick hero Callum Tarry to beat King’s College Wimbledon (KCS) and win the Continental Tyres Schools U15s Cup.
KCS started much the better of the two teams, with skipper Max Rawlinson going over for a terrific double either side of Eddy Fox’s try for Northampton.
He also converted both tries, while Northampton kicker (and also captain) Hugh Shields converted after assisting Fox’s try before scoring himself to cut the gap to two points.
Two of Tarry’s tries either side of the break would prove crucial for Northampton, as he finished well just before half-time in the corner after picking from the base of the scrum – despite having the number 12 on his back – and provided an irresistible pick and drive carry just after the break.
Again Tarry picked from close range 10 minutes into the second period to get his third of the day and extend the margin to three scores, before another pick and drive, this time from George Tonga’uiha, all-but sealed the victory.
King’s hit back well, and arguably deserved more than the solitary score they managed in the second-half through Leo Dickinson from a tap and go penalty five metres out.
But Northampton had been the better team, and were not troubled with the score coming with only five minutes remaining, leaving coach Phil Beaumont emotional and elated.
He said: “So proud of the boys out there, literally half of them are in tears as are half of the coaching staff but we’re absolutely delighted.
“They’ve worked so hard for this and deserve it, they went out there and played some fantastic rugby and have done the school proud.
“The fans on the side massively helped, and made it feel like there were 80,000 people in here.
“We’ll probably be enjoying this for at least a week, it’ll be difficult to get them to focus in lessons.”
Despite the majority of their tries being finished from only a few metres out, Northampton’s quality could not be questioned, playing the game with width, and cleverly manipulating the KCS defence to give themselves the field position needed to create their opportunities.
The obvious carrying power of Tarry was hugely impressive to see throughout, and as well as scoring he had made key breaks and repeatedly to over the gain line in the build up to the scores.
Shields, son of former Ulster, Northampton Saints, and Ireland prop Paul Shields, made an equally valuable contribution to the team, with the diminutive but slippery fly-half executing his passing and kicking almost perfectly and contributing 13 points to the team effort, including a touchline conversion.
Rawlinson undoubtedly also deserves an honourable mention for KCS. Scoring two fine tries in the first-half as he ran through unchallenged, and continuing to lead his troops with spirit when the odds were stacked against them in the second period.
See team sheets for both sides on @EngRugbySchools twitter, who also provided the featured image.
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