Two rugby teams from Spalding Grammar School brilliantly booked their places in county finals last week.
The school’s under-14 and under-16 sides emerged victorious in Lincolnshire League semi-finals against the same opposition – Sleaford’s Carres Grammar School.
The under-14s started strongly with Henry Hoyles, playing at number eight, leading the defensive line with some very strong and accurate tackling.
It was 32-0 at half time, before slick handling and powerful running at the beginning of the second half quickly increased to score to 63-0, at which point the referee finished the match.
Pick of the tries came as a result of some quick thinking from scrum half Keilin Spurdens, who managed to pass to Henry Scott after he made a fantastic run on the blind side of the ruck. Scott was able to draw in the opposition defenders and then offload the ball to Will Hughes whose excellent support run was too quick for the Carres defenders.
Further tries came from captain Patrick Harrington (5), Cameron McGeown, Will Hughes (two in total), Harry Burchnall, Will Wand and Tom Wide.
The under-16s had to dig deep for their 12-5 victory over Carres. The breakthrough came as some good build-up play by the forwards saw winger Harry Hagon-Smith power his way through the defence and cross the Carres’ try line.
This was the catalyst to spark a reply from Carres, who pounded the Grammar defence for ten minutes. Eventually they crossed the Grammar line after pulling their defence apart.
With the clock running down, Spalding were camped in the Carres 22 and the pack were working hard and driving forward when Thomas Birdseye picked the ball up from the base of a ruck and powered his way over. Willis Ingleby kicked the conversion and the Grammar lads held on to seal the win.
Outstanding performances from Alex Watson, Hal Whyatt and Birdseye were the highlights.
Both teams are now preparing for the county final at Lincoln Rugby Club on February 23.
