[O]n Wednesday Queen Elizabeth Grammar School travelled to Cheshire to take on Knutsford Academy in the U15 Natwest Vase.
The visitors started well in difficult conditions against a large and physical side. The QEGS defence forced several errors from the home side and spent much of the opening half in the home 22. As the game approached the break the tireless work of the Penrith forwards took play deep into home territory and several attempted breaks failed to bring a score for the Cumbrians.
The work of David Feddon and James McLoud in the visiting pack was notable.
With five minutes to play before the break, the larger Knutsford team forced their way into the QEGS half and a loose ball was hacked over the try line before rolling dead. The referee deemed that the QEGS captain had obstructed an opposition player, and Louie Johnson was shown a yellow card.
The five minutes either side of half time was then spent with the QEGS side defending desperately as they worked to keep the home side at bay. Adam Wilson, Jacob Batey and Tom Hill led a magnificent defensive effort, with Tom Knowles covering for the absent Johnson at stand off. QEGS managed to secure a good supply of ball, thanks to their lineout which functioned well with Archie Ratray taking over the jumping duties.
Half time saw the introduction of Harry Miles who carried strongly throughout the second half, and with Harry Chambers moving to scrum half, the game began to turn in favour of the QEGS side.
The QEGS side forced their way down the heavy pitch and took play to the 22 before the reinstated Johnson dropped a goal to take a 3-0 lead.
As the pitch began to cut up badly it became increasingly difficult for either side to fashion much quality rugby, and it was again Johnson who snapped up a loose pass and ran 40 metres to take QEGS to an 8-0 lead. Johnson was on the score sheet again five minutes later as strong running from James Ellis, Batey and Miles broke several Knutsford tackles and took play deep into home territory. From the ensuing ruck Johnson received the ball and ran in his second try which he converted.
With ten minutes to play QEGS rang the changes and the introduction of fresh legs seemed to add tempo to the Cumbrian’s play, a good team effort saw the Penrith side string several phases together for the first time, resulting in a try by Wilson which completed the scoring.
On a very wet pitch against a big team, this had been an immense effort from all 22 QEGS players, their control, game management and bravery was evident throughout, and everyone who took the field contributed to the superb victory. The QEGS boys now progress to the quarter-final which will be played in two weeks’ time.
Rob Dawson, who is one of QEGS coaches said: “This was a really impressive win, to be away from home on a pitch like that against such a big side is a hard task, all of the boys have worked so hard, they deserve a huge amount of praise for the way they played today.”
