Two weeks after their 5th round victory over Manchester Grammar School, Wilmslow were keen for another game of competitive rugby and didn't let the harsh weather get in their way. With no rugby pitches playable, due to the big freeze, last weekend's match against Ampleforth College was played on an artificial surface at Burnage Football Rugby Club. The pitch itself was in very good condition and Wilmslow were motivated to get back to playing rugby.
Sam Jafarian, the Wilmslow right winger said, "We are desperate to go out there and show other schools that Wilmslow mean business, I honestly believe with this squad that every single player's heart is in it and that's why we can go far in this competition."
Wilmslow made an explosive and intelligent start to the game and their early spell of pressure paid off when McCall scored a try 6 minutes into the first half. McCall kicked for Wilmslow and it set the ball rolling as Ampleforth were flattened by the class of rugby Wilmslow were playing. Wilmslow were breaking the side from North Yorkshire down and their second try came from Hudson who scored comfortably in the left corner.
The strong start from Wilmslow was followed by a period of considerable pressure by Ampleforth but Wilmslow showed discipline and patience to hold out Ampleforth who were looking menacing on Wilmslow's try line. In one move they had 8 phases of play without much reward and when there eventually was a break, Wilmslow took it with both hands. Jafarian took his chance and went over for the try 5 minutes from the break.
Chris Heal from Burnage Football Rugby Club said "Usually, second halves of matches take their time to burst into life, but young Tom Hudson has a different view on my opinion and proved me wrong as he scored quite possibly the best individual try of the season. The full-back, after a few pick and goes, had the ball in his grasp and looked like he had one thing in his mind, score. Hudson breezed past several defenders as he cut in field and twisted back towards the sideline to evade oncoming tackles.
"Suddenly, he unleashed a turn of pace that saw him surge through a diagonal gap from right to left and slid beside the posts to score a first class try all in the space of 15 seconds."
The game then spiralled into penalties, mauls and short bursts of play after this try. Wilmslow seemed to have switched off as they were losing set pieces, until a break by Walker saw the third try of the game. As Luke Tyrell broke away from a maul in the corner he drove forward and looked to have grounded the ball but the referee waved play on and James scored comfortably in the right corner - leaving Ampleforth looking out numbered with still 15 minutes to play.
Will Batterbury put down his marker 3 minutes from time as a break from the talented individual saw him shrug of the defender to stroll over. He kicked his conversion easily, but the scoring still hadn't finished.
Chris Heal said "Callum Hubbard did exceptionally well to keep the ball in play as he patted it down to Dan Thomas who unleashed a lethal run from his 22. A dummy pass allowed him to create space for Jafarian and then James to score his second try of the game and round off a quite brilliant team performance.
"Matt Bebbington and Roger Hancock were speechless after this overwhelming victory for Wilmslow to see them advance into the last 16 of the competition."
Final Score : Wilmslow High School 41, Ampleforth College 0
Wilmslow Tries: McCall, Hudson 2, Jafarian, James 2, Batterbury.
Cons: McCall 2, Batterbury.
