Millfield School coach Daniel Martin thought his players were part of an epic battle as their run in the Continental Tyres Schools U15 Cup was ended by a 24-21 loss against Whitgift School, writes Matt Wright.
The semi-final at Aylesbury RFC, between two heavyweights in the world of schools’ rugby, proved a thrilling contest, which Millfield led 14-10 at half-time through tries by Toby Bryant and Noah Sprenger.
The lead then changed three times in the second half, with captain Josh Hinde-Smith’s score taking his team so close to the final at Trailfinders Sports Ground, Ealing, before their opponents from Croydon snatched victory late on.
Martin said: "It was an excellent game and you saw right up to the 60-minute mark that we were going for it, so I’m real proud of the effort.
"I thought the lads were excellent, just a couple of things didn’t go our way today.
"We’ve come a long way since week one in September, and that’s probably the biggest thing we’re most proud of, the way the guys have improved.
"We’ve said to them that for a lot of them it’s not going to be the end of their rugby journey, and the best thing is they’ll keep getting better."
The competition pits schools from across the country against each other, aiming to increase participation and as of March 2, the number of age grade players is up six per cent year on year at 181,453, with a huge 14 per cent increase in girls’ registrations.
There are now 60 School Rugby Managers (SRM) in place around the country, 1800 schools and colleges received T1 Rugby flatpacks last year, with 1050 more due to receive one this season, while 900 School Games Organiser ran rugby events last season, with 56,000 young people taking part.
For Millfield’s youngsters, playing in the Continental Tyres Schools Cup has been the highlight of their year, and they will still have more opportunities to come when they reach U18 level.
Martin said: "They’ve love it.
"We’ve had some really good games – they had a quarter-final at home (against Beechen Cliff School) on the main pitch, in front of the school, so it was really nice for them to get that.
"Obviously, they won’t quite appreciate the great day they’ve had here yet, but I think they’ve definitely enjoyed their journey.
"It’s the first Schools Cup for these guys – they play a lot of block fixtures, and they obviously mean the world to them, but to actually have a competition where it’s win-or-lose is really important for them."
Steve Grainger, RFU executive director of rugby development, said: "Schools rugby plays a hugely important role in the game in England.
"For many young people, it’s the first time they pick up a rugby ball, and often the place where they fall in love with the sport and everything it stands for.
"Competitions like the Continental Tyres Schools Cup give students the chance to create lifelong memories with their teammates and experience the excitement of knockout rugby, which is why it remains such an important part of the pathway into the sport."
"The semi-finals have been absolutely fantastic, showcasing the passion, teamwork, and resilience that make the Continental Tyres Schools Cup so special," said Leah Jervis, Senior Brand & Partnerships Specialist, Continental Tyres.
"At Continental Tyres, we’re committed to supporting performance and progress at every level - and it’s wonderful to see those values reflected so clearly in these young players.
"We’re incredibly proud to champion a competition that nurtures emerging talent and celebrates school sport at its best."
The Continental Tyres Schools Cup is a vital part of the age-grade rugby landscape, with schools’ rugby often where players fall in love with the game for the first time.
Catch all the latest highlights and updates from the competition by following @CommunityRugby.
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