NatWest Schools Cup quarter-final place for Felsted
Felsted's rugby team are through to the quarter-finals of the U18 NatWest Schools Cup - Credit: Archant
Felsted School’s rugby team will face Manchester Grammar School next week in the quarter-finals of the prestigious U18 NatWest Schools Cup.
A fine 10-8 fourth round victory over London’s Whitgift School on Tuesday booked Felsted’s place in the last eight.
Ex-Wasps player and now head of rugby at Felsted School, Andrew Le Chavalier said: “The boys deserved the win on the day for the quality of our play and the courage of our defence.
“It was great to see so many parents, former parents, past pupils, pupils and local people supporting the team.
“I am very proud of the way the boys played, they stuck to the task and got the result they deserved - a phenomenal win.”
The fourth round match saw a great performance from both teams.
A Walker try and conversion put the Essex school 7-0 ahead only for a Whitgift penalty to make the half-time score 7-3 with both sides seemingly evenly matched.
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After another skilled Walker strike, taking them up to 10-3, Felsted worked hard to hold this score.
With just over five minutes left to play, Whitgift broke through on a loose ball and scored a try, knowing the extras would level the match.
The crowd watched with baited breath, but the conversion missed and the score remained 10-8 until the end sparking scenes of celebration from Felsted.
The next match in the competition will be in Manchester next Wednesday (November 30).
Prior to this week’s success, Felsted had enjoyed a 17-10 third round win over Campion, a 19-13 second round win against St Joseph’s and a 34-13 triumph over Brentwood.
Felsted has been a breeding ground for talented young rugby players in recent years.
Current Saracens and England U20 player Max Malins, Northampton Saints’ Scotland U20 star Rory Hutchinson and the Saints’ England U18 ace Ehren Painter are all ex-pupils of the school.
