Seven-try Bishop’s land big day at HQ
BISHOP’S Wordsworth booked their first national schools final since 1991 after beating Bromsgrove 41-19 in the semi-finals of the NatWest Cup.
The Salisbury school had a quiet season but there was no arguing last Saturday at Allianz Park as they ended Bromsgrove’s chase for a third consecutive triumph with a comfortable seven tries to three victory. They will now meet Warwick
School in the U18s Cup final on March 29 at Twickenham looking to go one better than the team which lost in 1991, 4-3 to King Edward VI of Stratford.
“I’m delighted for the group,” said Terry Gilmour of Bishop Wordsworth’s. “They’ve worked very hard and have developed their rugby over the season.
Bromsgrove suffered from the sin-binning of back-rower Alex Smith as Bishop Wordsworth’s built on an opening score from flanker Jared Cardew who also grabbed the last of the seven tries.
Xavier Hastings and Callum MacTaggart, rounding three defenders, followed suit while forwards Tom Boxer and Archie McEwan also contributed in the first half.
Paddy Bates put Bishop Wordsworth’s 36-7 up before Bromsgrove replied through tries from lock Joe Harper and Lawrence.
Warwick, mainly made of players who had won two U15 titles since 2013, beat Felsted 30-17.
Felsted led 17-13 at half-time but the Essex school were let down by penalties and two yellow cards.
Warwick led 6-0 after two penalties from William Tanner but Felsted responded with a Greg Oxlade try and the boot of Thomas Walker to go 10-6 up.
Oliver Thorneywork for Warwick and Felsted’s No.8 Ned Potter exchanged tries to leave the Essex school 17-10 in front at the break.
But Potter was binned for a high tackle and Warwick took advantage when Kieren Curran scored before Tanner added another penalty and Thorneywork scored after a concerted forward effort to seal the win.