Wellington College turn on style to claim back-to-back Daily Mail Schools Trophys

Wellington College turn on style to claim back-to-back Daily Mail Schools Trophys
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January 04, 2016
3 mins read

Wellington College turned on the style to clinch back-to-back titles in the Daily Mail Schools Trophy. 

A 44-0 victory over Marlborough swept the Berkshire team to the top after a topsy-turvy finish to this merit table competition which is organised by schoolsrugby.co.uk over the autumn term. 

Kirkham, Bedford, Bromsgrove and Sedbergh all had hopes of lifting the prize but Wellington's strong fixture list and try-scoring ability made up for some inconsistent performances. 

When Wellington lost away to Sherborne in October they looked down and out, having also lost earlier in the term to Dulwich. 

But a run of four victories, over Eton, Hampton, Epsom and Cranleigh, pulled them back into contention despite two narrow defeats to Sedbergh and St Paul's. 

Calculators were needed over the final weekend to work out that Wellington (6.46 merit points per game) had edged to a second title over two undefeated teams in Kirkham (6.44) and Bedford (6.35). 

Some 46 of Wellington's 49 tries came from their powerful backs organised by fly half Tom Parton who is in contention for England 18 honours this season. 

The top try scorer was wing Oliver Kitto who took his tally to 12 by scoring in the win over Marlborough in which full-back Dylan Moss contributed three. 

Matt Williams, another England contender, contributed two tries having just returned to action following injury.

Wellington coach Kevin Brennan conceded his team were surprised that they had emerged winners for a second time following the inaugural title for Woodhouse Grove in 2013. 

Brennan described his team as a little inconsistent but also capable of playing some very good rugby. 

'We are delighted to win overall but also must accept that they are some very good teams who also deserve recognition in going through the campaign unbeaten,' he said. 

Wellington's best wins came over Millfield, Whitgift and Hampton while Brennan felt the match against Sedbergh was of the highest quality. 

Wellington coach Kevin Brennan was surprised his team had emerged as winners for a second time

Wellington coach Kevin Brennan was surprised his team had emerged as winners for a second time

Sedbergh won that mid-week battle but fell off top spot when losing to Kirkham and Millfield in a hectic finish which also took in a Champions' Cup semi-final defeat to the eventual winners Bedford.

That win for Bedford was part of an impressive finish which took them to the top of the table until Wellington found their scoring stride against Marlborough. 

St Paul's also finished the term strongly. The London school edged out Wellington and followed up by beating Felsted, 29-24, last weekend topped off by a match-winning try from captain Simran Mander.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-3368066/Wellington-College-turn-style-claim-Daily-Mail-Schools-Trophy.html#ixzz3wGmkWfxX
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