A FAILED conversion in extended time ensured Warwick School’s 1st XV rugby team advanced to the semi-final stage of a national tournament in dramatic circumstances.
Played at home, the quarter-final tie against QEGS Wakefield went down to the wire and had spectators watching on in awe of what was an exciting game of rugby.
The schoolboys got their revenge on the visiting side after the last two fixtures between both sides have gone the way of QEGS.
But in front of a vocal home crowd, Warwick School set up a tie against Felsted in the National Cup semi-final at Allianz Park in London on Saturday, March 4.
Some early mistakes from the home side proved costly as the visitors took the lead early on.
As the half progressed, Warwick started the dominate most elements of the game with powerful scrums, line-out displays and dangerous counter attack movements.
The period of dominance for Warwick eventually resulted in a number of errors from QEGS – gifting Warwick second row Will Fawcett a gift of a try as he scored out wide – which was then converted.
A penalty then added to Warwick’s score as they led by seven points at half time.
QEGS fought their way back into the game as a series of penalties and several handling errors brought the Wakefield side to within touching distance of advancing to the next round.
Should the scores be tied, Wakefield would advance as the visiting team.
Wakefield then scored a try out wide in extended time meaning a successful conversion would send them through to the semi-finals.
Incredibly, the kick fell short – and Warwick quickly cleared the ball out of play to wrap up a hard-fought win.
Meanwhile Warwick School Under 15s team progressed to the last 16 round of the Natwest Cup after defeating Denstone 46-7.
The youngsters led 21-7 at half time with tries from Tom Patrick, Harry Spencer and Tom Boorman.
An improved second half performance saw more tries and successful penalty conversions as the team set up a fixture against Cheltenham College – which will be played on Tuesday (January 17).
