Skipper Sam sets Stortford standard as High School claim local bragging rights with thrashing
England Under 18 hooker Sam James is leading example for Bishop's Stortford High School in this season’s Daily Mail RBS Schools Cup.
Captain James scored two tries as the high school posted a 45-0 win over Bishop Stortford College to maintain a seven-year winning streak over their local rivals.
Flanker Ben Cook also scored two tries and one each came from No 8 William Readshaw, prop Jack Kavanagh and wing Oliver Pratt.
James, a member of the Saracens academy, is already in his third year of senior rugby having played 1st XV rugby when a 16-year-old. He is following a path led by Ben Skirving, the former Saracens flanker now playing at Bath.
Resounding victory: Bishop's Stortford High School beat Bishop's Stortford College 45-0
The Stortford school are aiming to repeat the success in 2009 when they reached the quarter-final. ‘It would be fantastic to have another good run,’ reported coach Ian Simpson.
The Bishop's Stortford match up was part of a busy fourth-round afternoon which included victory for champions Dulwich, 28-12, over Eltham College.
Dom Fraser, brother of Saracens’ flanker Will, contributed one excellent try from a counter-attacking position to keep Dulwich on track over a previously unbeaten Eltham team who relied on two tries from lock Andrew O’Malley.
Another player making a mark is Harry Betts at Oakham. The return from injury of the Northampton academy No 8 has galvanised his school team. He scored a try in the 23-5 win over Wyggeston and QE College of Leicester.
St Benedict’s, Ealing, had to work hard to quell Aylesbury Grammar School, 30-24, both teams scoring four tries each.
Last-gasp tackle: It was a hard fought affair
Scrum-half Matthew Palfrey was the man-of-the-match, according to Geoff Richards, the former coach of the England women’s squad, who is now director of rugby.
As past losing finalists, St Benedict’s have a strong reputation after losing 9-3 to Marlborough in 2008. ‘It also makes us a marked team and one our opponents always went to beat,’ Richards reported.
Another ‘marked’ team must King’s School, Macclesfield. They maintained their unbeaten run this season by beating Lady Manners of Bakewell, 55-0.
Prop Mike Parker scored two tries while full-back Matt Stubbs has now taken is total to over 100 points this season.
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