Wilmslow's 1st XV powered their way into the quarter-finals of the Daily Mail Cup after a scintillating second half performance.
No one likes having to wait around for something exciting and important, and Wilmslow had to wait 51 days since their thrashing of Ampleforth to play this very eagerly awaited last 16 tie in this year's Daily Mail Cup.
It would have been played last weekend if the typical frosty mornings had not followed their usual trend around this time of year. Wilmslow knew that they had to play the game this week otherwise they could have been eliminated without even coming up against Lancaster, and as always Wilmslow were determined to play.
Again, they used Burnage Rugby Club as their back-up and sure enough it was a frosty morning which meant that Burnage was now the venue for the tie. Away from all the off field shenanigans about when and where to play the fixture, the game itself was set to be electrifying as Wilmslow were unstoppable when they played here against Ampleforth. As for Lancaster, Wilmslow knew what to expect after the very narrow victory (22-19) they picked up in October against them.
Wilmslow wanted to take the game to Lancaster, like they did against Ampleforth, to generate momentum quickly. This aim would have seemed a lot quicker to achieve as Tom Hudson was added to the squad late on Thursday night, after being left out against Stockport due to injury. The negative was that Dan Thomas was the man Hudson stepped in for and also Charlie Haines was injured, nursing a dislocated shoulder. Roger Hancock and Matt Bebbington said making the squad selection for this game was made extremely difficult by having such a talented squad.
Olly McCall was hoping to add some more points to his 103 that he had already achieved and he managed this feat in 8 minutes as Wilmslow completed their ' momentum mission'. Wilmslow had a chance inside 30 seconds as they had an option to go wide, but weren't quick enough to spot the opportunity, which was partly down to rustiness.
The opening exchanges made the game look extremely open as Lancaster looked to threaten the Wilmslow back line and the first 8 minutes were played prominently in Wilmslow's half where they did look quite nervy.
Suddenly, Wilmslow went defence to attack after Lancaster had missed a penalty. Hudson produced a magical step to get away from the Wilmslow try line down the right flank. From there, a superb instant burst from Sam James saw him gallop away from the Lancaster defenders and with some smooth offloads, from McCall, Luke Tyrell then James, Tom Hudson run in the try. McCall added the extras and Wilmslow were off to a perfect start.
From the restart Wilmslow reverted back to looking nervous and shaky, rather than the explosive and flamboyant side that scored a brilliant try a minute earlier. They did concede a penalty to make the score 7-3 and Wilmslow really needed to get a stronger foothold in the game. They knew the chances were there but they needed to be more positive.
The first half started to have a see-saw affect to it as Wilmslow produced another chance from nothing. Hudson and Sam Jafarian were looking extremely handy with neat and skilful passing and Jafarian used this to his advantage. A break from him could have seen Wilmslow go over the white line again, but a forward pass saw the move collapse.
From this the pace of the game again slowed and it was patient, a complete contrast to the open looking game at the start, as Wilmslow's lead was only 4 points. Lancaster started to look more ominous with them trying to find a crack in the Wilmslow defence and mid-way through the first half they did with a well worked move leading to an unconverted try.
Wilmslow did strike back after they won a penalty for a mistake by Lancaster, as a number of players were caught offside after a storming run by Sam Rodman allowed Wilmslow to fashion a chance. The brilliance of McCall's kicking was proved again as he slotted the ball over for 10-8 and it seemed to steady the 'see-saw' as Wilmslow looked more confident and in control.
With the pendulum swinging one way to the other constantly in the first half, the second was more of a procession as Wilmslow totally commanded the majority of the 35 minutes. After seeing the game being played in his sides' half for a huge chunk of the first period, Hancock wanted Wilmslow to be more commanding and really show the class that they had to offer.
Indeed, this was the case as Wilmslow made a swift start and exerted early pressure on Lancaster. It took ten minutes of pressure for Wilmslow to finally break down a sturdy Lancaster defence. Captain Ethan Harding scored a wonderful try thanks to the superb Sam James whose bullocking run created space for Harding to the left of him, who outpaced the defender to score in the corner.
McCall was unable to convert, but had the chance 7 minutes later as Wilmslow and Harding made it two tries in the second half. It could have been the third or maybe even the fourth as Wilmslow were in the ascendency.
Replacement scrum-half, Will Batterbury had an excellent chance to score against the side, having scored 7 points last time the two sides met. With great pressure from the Under 15 Daily Mail Cup winner, he managed to prod the ball away from two defenders as it went loose, but was unable to round the last as it looked certain he would.
Max Harvey, who had his thumb strapped up due to an injury he picked up in training last week, bustled towards the line with two players on the outside of him and he tried to offload, but was too late and the pass went forward.
So, in the space of 5 minutes Wilmslow could have, and maybe should have, had the game well and truly won, but were unable to take their chances. Luke Tyrell and Sam Broster formed a chance for Jafarian as constant charging down of the ball led to Wilmslow regaining possession. The winger used this to his advantage as he went over next to the posts, but the try wasn't given.
From this came Wilmslow's third try. A punt in the corner from McCall led to Wilmslow winning Lancaster's lineout after a brilliant reach from Ollie Lee. As the ball went sweetly through the hands of the Wilmslow players it fell to James who produced a simply stunning pass to Harding which, similar to his previous try, bounced home into the corner. McCall did convert and Wilmslow were in touching distance of the quarter finals with 15 minutes left on the clock.
The dominance of Wilmslow continued and Lancaster looked shell-shocked as Wilmslow were powering their way to the last 8. Broster and Batterbury, the younger members of the side, had half breaks, but it wasn't all about attack for Wilmslow as the defensive side was key to Wilmslow winning this game.
Their well disciplined, well drilled and patient defending didn't allow Lancaster any opportunity to penetrate the Wilmslow line. They seemed experts now as they have done it so many times before, shutting up shop and running the clock down with slow, unhurried rugby.
Sam Jafarian heaped further misery on Lancaster as a brilliant individual try saw him dart away from the line and power towards the posts for the fourth try of the game. McCall again converted with three minutes left. Lancaster did score the final points with a flowing move, leading to a try which signalled the end of the game.
Another win, another step closer to Twickenham and it now looks like the Wilmslow players start to believe this. With a last 8 tie against QEGS, Wakefield scheduled for the start of February, Wilmslow have to time to prepare and consolidate their position.
"Privilege" to be here said Bebbington and Hancock and the Wilmslow side know that their grit and determination portrayed this. For now, Wilmslow can look and say 'We have made the last 8', but don't rule out that the last 8 is as far as this current Wilmslow squad can go.
Final score: Wilmslow High School 29, RGS, Lancaster 13.
Wilmslow tries: Hudson, Harding 2, Jafarian
Cons: McCall 3
Pen: McCall
Half-time: 10-8
Wilmslow: T Hudson, S Jafarian, S James, E Harding (capt), S Broster, O McCall, S Street, M Harvey, T Fantom, S Rodman, O Lee, B Jones, L Tyrell, S Klein, O-H Douglas Replacements: T Watts, C Hubbard, J Walker, S Royle, J Chappell, W Batterbury, R Longmore.
This match report is a guest post by Chris Heal, Wilmslow High School.
