RGS Newcastle 3

Prince Henry's GS 7

AFTER a 12-12 draw with Durham in the third round of the Daily Mail Schools' Cup, Otley Prince Henry's Grammar School's first XV knew they had to keep their good form going.

As there were empty seats on the coach a band of fanatical supporters made the trip with the rugby boys.

After reading an article in the November issue of Rugby World the team knew that RGS Newcastle had beaten Durham a few weeks previous. The article also named their star of the back line - their stand-off and winger.

As the match kicked-off, Prince Henry's were put under some early pressure but their defence held strong. Every time Newcastle won the ball they tried to ship the ball wide to their star.

After a couple of 50 metre runs sideways, which gained about two yards, he knew that it wasn't going to be his day. With their tactics down the drain Newcastle looked lost.

Prince Henry's took control. They kept the ball and had continuous pressure on the Newcastle line. After a good spell of play, Prince Henry's won a penalty to the left of the posts.

A good effort from captain Liam Duffy sailed agonisingly wide. Against the run of play Newcastle won a penalty which was converted, and Prince Henry's were down.

The supporters on the sideline gave the boys a mental boost which saw Henry's win a line-out on the half-way line.

After a training park move involving James Duggan, Tim Mobbs and Amman Boughan, Ben Steele broke down the left-hand side. After a50 metre sprint, Steele went

within millimetres of scoring. An apparent foot on the line meant that the score stayed 3-0. Brilliant elusive running from Luke Cooper, Simon Care and Rob Lochrie made opportunities for Prince Henry's to score.

At half-time they were behind on the scoresheet, and although physically tired, the players were again lifted by the supporters. The second-half started as the first had ended with Prince Henry's piling on the pressure.

The game kept stopping for injuries and it was after one of these stoppages that Newcastle's stars linked up.

The stand-off made another desperate attempt to get the ball to their winger but Danny Care picked the ball out of the air and sprinted under the posts for a well earned try. Robbie Westworth added the extras.

The second-half continued in the similar pattern which set up a tense finish. Ten minutes of constant Newcastle attacks were knocked back by heroic Prince Henry's tackling.

As the final whistle went, the Otley players and supporters went berserk.

The feeling is that with the support of staff and students, this team will make it all the way to the Twickenham final.

Now bring on Cowley!