Wilmslow High School’s Under 15 Rugby Team continued in winning ways in the Daily Mail Cup Competition with a hard fought 17 – 7 victory over Bedford in Wednesday's Quarter Final tie.
The victory followed previous successes over Hayfield School, Manchester Grammar School, Kings Macclesfield and Merchant Tailors in previous rounds and sets up a mouth watering semi final against QEGS Wakefield on March 6th.
A large vociferous home crowd saw Wilmslow dominate the opening exchanges through a combination of efficient work at the breakdown and excellent broken field running from backs and forwards alike. Wilmslow’s excellent recycling work saw first half tries from fly half and captain, Callum Westaway and right wing Nathan Budd.
A sin binning to prop Wilmslow’s Rob Taylor three minutes before half time led to a period of sustained Bedford pressure either side of the break, but some outstanding Wilmslow defending, both close to the breakdown and in midfield ensured that the score remained at 12 -0 until deep into the second half.
Pressure was eventually relieved by a scything break from Sam Broster, from deep in his own 22, who linked well with centre partner Harry Patch leading to a flowing length of the field move which was only held up just short of the line by some last ditch Bedford defending.
Seven minutes before full time Bedford kicked behind the Wilmslow defensive line from deep in their own half and saw a fortuitous bounce gathered cleanly by their dangerous left wing who raced away to score under the posts. The conversion ensured a nail-biting finish with the score at 12 -7.
However, a disciplined performance by the Wilmslow pack saw them inch up the field and camp in the Bedford half for the remainder of the match. The victory was made sure with a late second try for Nathan Budd to make the final score 17 – 7 to the home side.
