Old Swinford Hospital won the inaugural NatWest Schools Under-18 Bowl by beating St Olave’s GS from Kent 25-13 in the final at Sixways.
The last time Old Swinford Hospital were in a national final they came up against mighty Dulwich who dominated the Under-18 Cup for three years.
This time the Stourbridge school were the stronger team and ran out winners by four tries to two.
Old Swinford took control through two tries in the first half and a third midway into the second half put them 18-0 up.
St Olave’s made them work for that title though. Tries from wing Aaron Grandidier and lock Kosi Nwubu kept the Kent school in contention before a final Swinford try from substitute forward Charles Fraser.
Swinford certainly deserved a 13-0 lead at half-time. They dominated the opening period and a second try right at the end was just reward.
Though fly half James Westwood missed an opening penalty, Swinford took their next opportunity when centre Benny Trimmer crashed over near the corner.
Trimmer finished off after a fierce spell of pressure but it was a good 25 minutes before Swinford collected their second.
Like the first try, the score came from some steady pressure, led by No 6 Douglas Bridge who was held up near the posts. The ball was then fired out by scrum-half Finn Bridgewater to enable full-back Sam Hughes to finish off.
For St Olave’s, it was a difficult first appearance in a national final and apart one spell they were always on the back foot against a well organised team.
Swinford maintained the pressure after the interval and made certain of the tile 15 minutes into the half when No 8 Jolby Beech was driven over.
St Olave’s looked to attack whenever they gained possession and they made sure of a tense finish when Grandidier and Nwubu scored in the final quarter and James Tate added a penalty.
Swinford made it hard for themselves by having substitute Hugh Peel and scrum half Bridgewater sin binned.
The match was also delayed because of an injury to Swinford wing Charles Hillard.