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It’s a version of Wales versus England on Saturday in the Daily Mail Schools Trophy as Monmouth take on Millfield. Unbeaten Monmouth, coached by ex-Wales and Lions wing John Bevan, are looking for an eighth victory in the Trophy this season.
Bevan is delighted at Monmouth’s progress accomplished without Lloyd Phillips, the captain of Wales’ under-16s team last season, who has had a knee injury.
‘We’ve shown great discipline and flair, especially in tight games,’ Bevan said about an autumn which has brought notable wins over King’s Worcester, Colston’s and Bromsgrove.
Bevan believes he is building a strong team for next season and added: ‘The younger players have shown great maturity, stepped up to the plate and proved their dedication to the sport.’
Monmouth face a big challenge against Millfield who have only lost twice in the Trophy this season to Bromsgrove and leaders Wellington.
Wellington, who have no fixture this weekend, need to win at Tonbridge Saturday week to make certain of lifting the Trophy now in its second season.
The weight of Wellington’s fixtures – they have so far won 10 out of 12 games – has taken them to the top of this merit table-based competition run by schoolsrugby.co.uk. Some 100 schools have entered the Trophy and have so far played more than 325 games this autumn.
Wellington edged further ahead thanks to a 48-0 win over Cranleigh last week and have quickly regrouped since their only defeat, to second-placed Sedbergh.
Sedbergh, who promptly lost the leadership four days after that win when defeated at home by Kirkham, overcame Warwick, 22-17, last Saturday to maintain second place.
Kirkham, like Monmouth, are also unbeaten. A 61-5 win at Mount St Mary’s included three tries for Yawe Penske and 16 points from the boot of full-back Tom Carleton.
Next stop for Kirkham, who have won nine games, is a trip to Woodhouse Grove, last season’s inaugural champions, on Saturday.
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