THE FRIARY 17 - KING EDWARDS, LICHFIELD 12  

Congratulations to the Y11 Rugby Squad on beating holders, King Edwards Lichfield, in the County Rugby Cup Final at Lichfield Rugby Club on Friday 25th April, 5.30 kick off, to become County Champions.

A fantastic atmosphere was created by the three hundred strong crowd. The Friary supporters started in great voice but were quietened down by an early injury to Shaun Smith after five minutes of play – he was replaced by Stuart Fielding.  Soon after, King Edwards took the lead with an unconverted try by Josh Massey. 

The Friary scrummage performed really well in the first half with Stu Wilson, Calum Hagyard, Adam Clarke, Tom Wilkins (celebrating his birthday) and Nigel Overton making a formidable unit.  This got Friary back in the frame as it gave Callum Heanan time to feed skipper, Richard Burton, or allow the match winning back row of Shayle Flynn, Sam Coxon and James Perrins to carry the ball forward so strongly making ground all the time. 

A strong scrummage led to The Friary’s first try and following a back row move, Richard Burton crashed under the post to ground the ball over the line. Callum Heanan put The Friary into the lead with an accurate conversion. 

The Friary now had ‘their tails up’ and King Edwards couldn’t get out of their half.  The impressive backs of the opposition were not given any chance to run as Richard Burton, Richard Fielding and Stu Fielding all pressurised them into mistakes. If King Edwards got the ball to their quick wingers, Sporic and Miller, their opponents, Daniel Hathaway and Lloyd Dune’t, knocked them down immediately. 

Good driving by The Friary forwards created a good field position for the back row to create the space for James Perrins to stretch out over the line just to the right of the posts.  Richard Burton converted.  The Friary led at half time 14-5 but had to play against a breeze in the second half.  Stuart Fielding created a really good defensive partnership with namesake, Richard. 

The Friary started the half as they meant to play throughout the rest of the match by keeping possession and not kicking to the dangerous opposition backs.  The work rate and dominance of The Friary forwards gave King Edwards little chance to impress and in fact were normally forced into defending the powerful driving play of The Friary team.  Pressure led to King Edwards giving a penalty away in front of the posts and Richard Burton got it over for a 17-5 lead. 

An upset was now really on the cards and The Friary tackled themselves to a standstill.  With Ryan ‘Mousey’ Marshall at full back having a great game, The Friary’s belief grew into an expectation of victory.  The Friary dominated the first twenty minutes of the second half. 

However, Massey kicked into space from his own ten metre line for Miller to chase.  He won the ball and despite a brilliant double tackle on him by Marshall and Hathaway he popped the ball off the floor to England under 16 International, Joe Cobden who scored under the post for a converted try.  17-12 with nine minutes left. 

Most of the play still took place in the King Edward half.  The Friary kept possession with Adam Clarke making several good runs of 15 to 20 metres – turning the opposition and putting them under pressure.  King Edward’s discipline was lost and three times in the last three minutes they were penalised.  The Friary chose to tap and keep the ball until the referee blew the final whistle. The super subs of Robbie Stone, Wayne Turnbull, Dan Harris and Tony Salt showed a magnificent turn of foot and sprinted on to congratulate their elated team mates.

What a game, what a result, what a crowd and what a huge pile of celebrating bodies on the pitch at the end of a really exciting game well refereed by Mr Kenneth Roxburgh of Staffs Society. 

On the morning of the game – in the year group assembly - ‘When you believe’ by Leon Jackson (X Factor winner) was played.  The players did ‘believe’ and they can now play ‘We are the champions’. This year the players can say this with great pride and reward. Well done to you all – an occasion you’ll remember all your life!! 

Absolutely fantastic, amazing, brilliant, exceptional, awesome etc. live the dream!!!