A ONCE-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play at Twickenham, the home of rugby union, awaits the King’s School’s under-15 side after they reached the final of the Daily Mail National Schools’ Championships Vase Competition.
Rugby players the world over dream of crossing that white line at Twickers, and now a squad of eager young men will get their chance on final day on April 1.
The Vase is a competition for all the losing teams from the first three rounds, with King’s cruising through their heats before meeting Coopers Company and Coborn School from Essex in a nail-biting semi-final played on neutral territory at the RUFC ground at Broad Street in Coventry.
King’s triumphed courtesy of a superb 15-man try, with the forwards sucking in the ball and driving toward the line, before the backs span it out wide for livewire Kieran Wesley to fly over the line.
Skipper Andy Hodgson then stood firm with a calmly-taken conversion to ensure a two-point winning margin.
Just as important was the late try-saving tackle from full-back Mark Rogerson, who chased down and took out his man with the try-line clearly in the opposition’s sights.
Coach John Percival, who trains the team with fellow King’s sporting stalwart Mark Harbord, said: "The kids have had a great season, worked very hard and deserve their success. We are very excited to be making the Twickenham trip. It’s just reward for all their effort."
