Under 18s celebrate title hat-trick
SCHOOLS SPORT SIMON CARTER
THE King’s School under 18 sevens team has completed a hat-trick of county titles after winning the Cheshire crown for the third year in succession.
Taking on the cream of the county’s talent at St Ambrose College, a fast running, slick handling and risk taking Kings team eased their way to the semi-finals with victories over the hosts, Bishop Heber, Wilmslow High School and Cheadle Hulme.
The semi final was the biggest hurdle facing boarding school Rydal Penrhos, who were in fine form having also swept aside their group. King’s started slowly, going 12-0 behind, before racing into the lead 19-12.
A last-gasp score from Rydal meant the match went to a golden-point conclusion. After some heroic defence, withstanding several phases on their own line, an outstanding turnover then saw several sweeping phases up the field and ultimately a matchwinning opportunity and progress to the final.
The final was much kinder on the nerves, King’s dominating from the off and defeating Altrincham Grammar School 26-13 in front of a large travelling support.
The King’s under-15 15 Sevens Squad made an equally impressive start to their campaign, picking up the Plate at Solihull’s competition. Seemingly drawn in a group of death, with Warwick School, who were the eventual Cup winners, King’s Worcester, the hosts and The Crypt School, who went on to the win the Bowl.
King’s defeated Warwick School in the opening match and remained the only school to do so throughout the day. Sadly, a slow start against King’s Worcester resulted in a loss and meant a three-way tie at the top of the group.
Cruelly, this resulted in King’s having to battle for Plate glory on points difference alone. Undeterred, an emphatic semi-final victory over King Edward School Stratford was quickly followed by an emphatic Final win against Ellesmere College 42-10.
King’s racked up over 200 points throughout the tournament. Outside backs and Sale Sharks products Sam Worthington and James Haywood amassing bags of tries, while Captain Hayden Heath, was in outstanding form throughout the day.