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Warwick served notice they could be among the pacesetters in this season's Daily Mail Schools Trophy.
A 15-7 win over Bromsgrove, the national knock-out champions, highlighted the potential of Warwick.
Warwick have built a quality team based on their successful under-15 squads over the past few seasons.A powerful forward effort set up this opening win in the merit table-based competition organised by schoolsrugby.co.uk for England's leading rugby-playing schools over the autumn term. No 8 Tom Fawcett powered over for one try while wing Paolo Peschisolido finished off another period of pressure. The kicks were supplied by Will Tanner. Bromsgrove enjoyed an unbeaten campaign last season in which they won this early-season clash against Warwick 54-0.
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Another promising team are Brighton College. They needed some fierce defence in the final stages to hold off Cranleigh.
Two second-half penalty goals from captain Marcus Smith earned a 6-3 win and rewarded some dominant play set up by a back row of Toby Smith, Harry Venn and Luke James.
Nick Buoy, Brighton's head coach, said: 'The defence of both teams won the day and made for a very exciting and tense match.' Hampton were another team to have a close call in an 18-16 win over London rivals John Fisher. A try by hooker Nick Powell in the final stages brought Hampton victory after John Fisher had led 16-8.
Hampton won through following a series of penalties which were pumped into the corner to set up opportunities off line-outs.The south-north clash between Whitgift and Sedbergh ended in a win for the visiting Cumbrians.​
Whitgift led 11-0 at half-time but were out-gunned in the second half thanks to tries from Sam Moore and Ben Watson for a 14-11 win.
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Champions Wellington, who are aiming for three titles running, opened by defeating Dulwich, 24-0. Tomorrow (sat) they travel to Tonbridge.
Other heavyweight clashes feature Bedford, who finished third last season, hosting Bromsgrove while former champions Woodhouse Grove entertain QEGS Wakefield.
QEGS, who defeated RGS Lancaster, 46-0, may well emerge as contenders this season. Like Warwick, they are reaping the reward of some excellent under-15 squads.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-3791926/Champions-crumble-Warwick-run-riot-Daily-Mail-Schools-Trophy.html#ixzz4KifdH85Y
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