Hampton Schools first XV maintained its impressive start to the season by picking up their first piece of silverware of the season in the St Joseph’s rugby festival. The side, captained by current England U18 international Louis Lynagh, recovered from a disappointing opening day of the festival to ease pass Eltham College and take the plate home to Middlesex.
Having been drawn in a group described by Fifteen Rugby as “brutally tough” alongside schoolboy rugby titans Brighton College, RGS Newcastle and St Peter’s York it was always going to be a tough task to pick up silverware.
Hampton opened their account with a physical 23-5 defeat to a talented RGS Newcastle side who would go on to win the overall Cup competition. The side then bounced back strongly in their second match against St Peter’s York. A 24 points to nil victory set up a mouth-watering tie against defending champions Brighton College for the right to play in the Cup competition. A 27-7 defeat sent Hampton out of the Cup but due to the structure of the festival it meant that Hampton would return the following date in the Plate.
The first XV had their chance to avenge their defeats from the previous day in their opening Sunday match against RGS High Wycombe, a side they had already beaten 34-22 in the regular season. In a game that reflected the high-intensity nature of the tournament, with sides only playing 15 minutes each way, Hampton came away with a 3-0 victory courtesy of the boot of captain, Louis Lynagh.
Hampton then overcame QEGS Wakefield and John Fisher to set up a Plate final against Eltham College. The final featured an added subplot with Hampton’s director of rugby Mr Thomson having previously held the same position at Eltham.
In the final Eltham College took the lead in the opening minutes with a penalty from a central location. Hampton showed good character a responded with a try when James Thompson burrowed over from close distance. Hampton then extended their advantage with a superb solo try from Louis Lynagh. Scooping up the ball one handed in Hampton’s own 22, stepping inside the covering Eltham defended and sprinting the length of the field to score a memorable try.
The Hampton defence stood resolute but a penalty from Eltham brought them back in touch. Heading into the final minutes the game was still in the balance, but a defence line out was not gathered cleanly by Eltham and Theo Johnson dotted down over the white line to clinch the Plate for Hampton.
Overall, the Plate was a deserved reward for Hampton after a demanding weekend of schoolboy rugby. The title sets up the side for the season ahead and their Champions Trophy tie away to Hurstpierpoint College on Thursday 11th November.
James Dowden
Hampton School
