King’s Worcester won the National Schools Under-18s Bowl by beating Glyn Technology School from Surrey 34-10 in today’s final at Sixways.
It was King’s first-ever national title and they were roared to victory by a large crowd on ‘home’ soil.
King’s fullback Charles Clark almost went over after just five minutes following a great burst from deep, but the local side did break the deadlock through lock Hamish Stigant, with the conversion added by Ethan Summerwill.
A driving maul ten minutes later resulted in a try for King’s captain, Max Richardson, but this time Summerwill’s kick went wide.
Just before the interval, Will Bishop picked up the ball at the back of a ruck a metre out and was able to touch down. Summerwill’s conversion drifted across the uprights, meaning King’s led at the break 17-0.
Richardson, imperious throughout for King’s and named Man of the Match, scored his second try two minutes after the restart after evading three tackles.
Glyn got their first points in the 45th minute. A quickly taken tap penalty led to Daniel Jones’s sniping run giving the Surrey side their first try, but the hurried drop-kick conversion was sliced wide.
Josh Moorhouse responded for King’s Worcester immediately. He collected from a ruck a metre out from Glyn’s line and powered over – the kick from Summerwill sailed over.
The Surrey team scored for the second time 13 minutes from the end, following Harry Carmichael’s strong finish from close range, but the conversion was missed by Tom Busby.
Worcester’s wing George Hale scored a fantastic try near the end, fending off Tom Otley before tearing down the wing to finish in the right-hand corner. Summerwill dealt with the kick from a tight-angle, to put the seal on victory.