The U15 rugby team have enjoyed a remarkable season culminating in a superb and deserved victory in the Essex Cup Final. The match was played on Thursday 25 March under floodlights at Romford and Gidea Park RFC and was watched by a large and appreciative crowd.

This tremendously talented year group are currently Essex Cricket Champions, Essex Rugby Champions, and the Independent Schools National Football Champions.  Next month they also play in the Essex Football final with a chance to achieve a remarkable hat trick of Essex titles.  These triumphs combined with recent successes in the Public Schools Fencing, swimming, and cross country means that this year has been extremely successful for the U15's.

Mr Matthew Clark, the U15 coach ensured that the boys' preparation was first-rate and as a result, the boys made an excellent start in the final. They dominated the set-piece with the powerful and imposing front row of Pheby, Stewart and Stevens in the ascendency. Toby Milne kicked intelligently from the base of rucks and Ben Patterson began to ask searching questions of the Westcliff defence.  The excellent start was rewarded with three points from the boot of Milne and the score remained locked at 3-0 through to half time.

Mr Clark and Mr Castleman issued essential instructions during the interval and once again the boys made a positive start, however the difficulty of the task was exacerbated by a significant head wind. Westcliff began to grow stronger, securing more possession and launching a series of attacks, however these were stifled by excellent defensive organisation with Lewis Bruniges, Edward Hornby, Billy Smith and Ben Patterson to the fore. Then, the game changed. A good piece of handling put the Westcliff winger in at the corner and with barely 10 minutes remaining, our boys were 5-3 in arrears.

The sign of a good side is coping in the face of adversity and the ability to win key moments when they matter. This is exactly what happened. Brentwood School put together phases of high quality rugby and deservedly won a penalty in front of the posts. The crowd (and coaches) were clearly expecting the inevitable kick at the posts, when Toby Milne acted instinctively and decisively taking a quick penalty which passed through two pairs of hands finally reaching No.8 Connor Philips who scored in the corner.

As is so often the case, there was a final sting in the tale of this excellent final. In the final moments Westcliff were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. The County rules state that in the event of draw, the side who score the first try win the trophy. Hence, this was a kick to win the match and break Brentwood hearts. Unfortunately for Westcliff the kick was missed, the final whistle blew and to the victor the spoils.

Director of Sport, Mr Jeff Kayne commented, "This is a remarkable achievement and this is the first time in the long and distinguished history of Brentwood School sport that a rugby team has won the County Cup Final. The boys should be commended to the highest degree and many congratulations should be passed to them, their dedicated and talented coach Mr Clark and of course, Mr Castleman, who is a visionary and committed Master in Charge of Rugby.  I am also very pleased to announce that four members of the squad,  Elliott Croft, Iain Stewart, Ben Patterson and Toby Milne have been selected to play for Essex against Middlesex at Old Brentwoods Rugby Club at 2.30pm on Sunday 11 April."

Headmaster, Ian Davies commented, "Our Under 15 rugby team played outstandingly well to win the Essex Cup by 8 points to 5.  This was a performance of tremendous pride and passion and the boys thoroughly deserve this success".

To view a video of the trophy presentation please click here