Bennies hungry for more after a Twickenham beano

BENNIES had a ball on the way to winning at Twickenham and they’ve definitely got the taste for it again.

‘The Daily Mail Cup was the best recruiting sergeant ever for rugby in the school,’ said Martin Knights, director of sport and head coach at St Benedict’s, Ealing.

St Benedict’s stepped up in class last season and beat St Paul’s, Barnes, 12- 7 in a memorable Under 15 cup final. As fate would have it, a rematch is on the cards in the fourth round this season, with St Paul’s thirsting for revenge.

The champions have home advantage but the form points in favour of St Paul’s. They have not been troubled, scoring 135 points in their three ties to date.

St Benedict’s, with only skipper Pierre Cameron surviving from last year’s triumph when he played up a year, were severely tested by London Oratory on Tuesday.

Tries from No 8 Cameron and Tom Clarke gave them a 10- 0 half- time lead but Oratory hit back with a penalty and converted try.

The match ended 10-10 with St Benedict’s hanging on to go through 2- 1 on the try count.

Several of last year’s cup winners have been promoted into the St Benedict’s first XV and their 36- 7 win at St Albans on Wednesday persuaded Knights that a trip to Twickenham may not be out of the question in the Under 18 Cup.

They are captained by England No 8 Hugo Ellis and he has been joined in the pack by brother Arthur at hooker.

Joe Simpson, at scrum half, is also an England international, while Rowan Halsall, one of the best back row forwards in the U15 Cup last season, has comfortably made the transition to the higher age group.

‘ On the day, we have as good a chance as anyone,’ said Knights, who now has Jesse Coulson, the United States World Cup scrum half on his coaching staff.

‘ The team spirit which the Under 15s had last season has been transferred to the firsts and that is a huge factor in the cup.’

But guess who are looming in the fifth round? None other than St Paul’s.

Before then, St Benedict’s face a tricky tie at Roundwood Park. The Harpenden side won 13- 10 at Haberdasher’s this week, while St Paul’s are no certainties to go through, having to face one of the best Hampton Grammar teams of recent seasons.

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