Manchester Grammar School 3 - 34 Wilmslow High School.
Wilmslow High School took the honours in the Daily Mail School's Rugby Cup third round match scoring five tries, four in the second half as the constant pressure they exerted on the home team told.
The Grammar School valiantly chased the game throughout, in search of something more than their first half penalty goal.
A great spectacle of school boy rugby played with considerable skill at breakneck speed. The commitment was total but best of all, given the build up and expectations of this derby game, played with great discipline.
The first half was mostly played in the middle of the pitch, each team swopping penalties to start proceedings. There was however, as the half wore on a succession of breaks by the Wilmslow backs which perhaps gave an inkling of what was to come. The High School would have been slightly disappointed with just an 8-3 lead at half time. It was full back Broster who scored the try, finishing off a beautifully executed break by James, who was starting to pull the strings from inside centre.
The pressure on MGS in the scrum, at the breakdown and in open play was relentless; tellingly there was no let up as both coaches made changes in their line ups. A measure of that pressure was in how the second half tries were scored. The first an intercepted pass by James which he finished himself, the second a dropped pass seized upon and kicked forward for skipper Harding to score under the posts.
Two further tries exuded class, once again the Wilmslow pack turned over ball. Without hesitation, the ball was through the backs hands for winger Patch to cut inside the full back and score. Not to be outdone, fly half Westaway decided to use option one of the several his team mates created. His score completed from a diagonal 20 yard run finished under the posts. Scrum half Longmore completed the scoring by converting 3 of the tries.
This was a match worthy of a super venue, and welcoming hosts. Wilmslow return to cup action in two weeks time with a visit to either Lancaster GS or Stonyhurst College.
This is a member post by Mike Harding.
