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Berkhamsted Group | 19.10.2018

Berkhamsted rugby prepare for a thrilling set of fixtures in their national cup campaign

Berkhamsted rugby prepare for a thrilling set of fixtures in their national cup campaign

Berkhamsted School’s rugby teams are preparing for a set of three season defining fixtures as they campaign for cup glory in 2018.

The 1st XV and U15As have earned themselves a place in the later stages of the Champions Trophy and the Natwest Cup.  Both teams have progressed through to the quarter finals of the competition despite facing a tough fixture list.

Victory against Haileybury (39-12) and Kingswood, Bath (63-14) have set up the 1st XV with a home clash against Wellington College for the opportunity to reach the last four.

Superb form

The 1st XV have been in great form playing some excellent rugby along the way and progressing to the Quarter finals of the Campions Trophy. Captain Josh Barton has been in superb form at fly half with 11 tries so far this season including hat tricks against Eton & Kingswood and a personal points tally of 29 point in the memorable win against Eton. The back row of Lewis Barrett, Matthew McDonagh and Toby Knight have also been hugely influential this season.

Wellington have been in great form themselves winning all but one of their fixtures in 2018. The contest will be held at Chesham Road, Berkhamsted on Tuesday 6 November.

On the same day the U15A will compete the next stage of the Natwest Cup.  It follows their local derby win against Albans (20-14) in the previous round.  They face Mill Hill School for a place in the third round where they are due to meet either Harrow or St Paul’s. Both matches kick off at 14:30 on what promises to be a fantastic afternoon of rugby.

The following week the 1st XV are in action again, on this occasion at the home of Saracens Rugby, Allianz Park where they face Oakham School under flood lights. The annual Allianz Park fixture has been the scene of some memorable Berkhamsted moments with wins against Haileybury in 2014, and Tonbridge in 2016 and a brilliant match (but narrow loss) against Harrow in 2015.

Relishing the opportunity

Director of Sport David Gibson said “I have been delighted with the way in which our sides have played this half term and been able to adapt to a really tough fixture card. Every match has presented a new challenge (none of them easy) and all of our teams have raised their game and set themselves very high standards both on and off the pitch. The 1st XV have been in particular good form. However, their run of matches in the next three weeks is perhaps their toughest challenge yet with a trip to Sedbergh, a Champions Trophy Quarter Final at home against Wellington College, an away match at Stamford and the visit of Oakham to Allianz park. I am certain the boys will be focused and up for the challenge and we would welcome the school community and any prospective families the chance to come along and watch either of the three games’

‘Thrilling’ rugby fixtures

1st XV versus Wellington College – Tuesday 6 November 14:30 at Chesham Road Playing Fields

U15A versus Mill Hill Tuesday 6 November 14:30  at Chesham Road Playing Fields

1st XV versus Oakham  Wednesday 14 November 19:30 at Allianz Park

Chesham Road Playing fields location.

 

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