Millfield roaring back to their best again

MILLFIELD School first XV coach John Mallett is ‘delighted with his team’s success’ this season after a disrupted 2020/21 season.

The famous Somerset rugby school went unbeaten throughout their 15-a-side season in the Daily Mail Trophy, winning all eight of their games, attaining 6.13 merit points.

Millfield finished fourth in the Daily Mail Trophy as Berkhamsted School lifted the trophy for the first time in their history due to a superior 6.44 merit points.

Mallett said: “We have been delighted with the team’s success this year particularly after such a disrupted season in 2020/21. All the school’s rugby players missed the usual competition and rivalries from school matches.”

A particular highlight for Mallett’s side was winning the St Joseph’s College Nationals Schools Rugby Festival in October after beating Brighton College first XV Boys 10-7 in the final.

Mallett said: “The victory at the St Joseph’s festival in October was significant for the whole squad and put a marker down for where we want to be as a team.”

In the Daily Mail Trophy, an away 20-14 victory over Sedbergh followed in December, in what was Millfield’s first win away to their archrivals since 2013.

Mallett said: “A victory against our rivals Sedbergh is rare for any Millfield team, so this meant as much to the boys as any game throughout the season.”

Mallett possesses an extremely talented crop of youngsters who have potential to go far in the professional game.

He said: “Our fly-half Sam Harris is a Bath Academy and England U18 player – he has demonstrated the ability to tactically dominate at the U18 level, so he is an exciting prospect. He started at Millfield as a nationally ranked tennis player and is an accomplished pianist.

“We currently have 14 players in the Premiership Academy games.”