News
- Cranleigh are closing in on leaders Wellington and champions Sedbergh
- Cranleigh defeated previously-unbeaten Epsom to record their seventh win
- The Surrey-based side have two games to play against Marlborough and Canford
Unbeaten Cranleigh are closing in on the top two in the race to win this season’s SOCS Daily Mail Schools Trophy.
A 26-5 win over Epsom, who were also unbeaten, has fired Cranleigh into third place narrowly behind leaders Wellington and champions Sedbergh in this national competition sponsored by the school management system, SOCS.
Cranleigh are maintaining a reputation for attacking rugby under coach Andy Houston and they posted Trophy win No 7 of the campaign over Epsom.
Three first-half tries set Cranleigh on their way including one each from backs Oscar Beard, an England under-18 centre, and Finn Brown.
Tries after the interval from Ollie Corbett and Jago Bailey kept Cranleigh out in front. Houston said: “I’m delighted how we have progressed this season. It’s been a big squad effort and the hard work is paying off.”
Cranleigh have two games to play against Marlborough (Nov 30) and Canford (Dec 7) in this competition which is decided on a merit-table basis.
Their attention will be fixed on next Wednesday’s (Nov 27) clash between Sedbergh and Wellington at Broad Street, the Coventry club, in an a clash which usually provides one of the best matches of the schools season.
Cranleigh's Ollie Corbett kicks ahead in the SOCS Daily Mail Schools Trophy clash with Epsom
The referee awards a try to Cranleigh during their 26-5 victory over Epsom
Wellington, who edged out Clifton College last Saturday, 19-14, lead thanks to an average of merit points per match of 6.55 ahead of Sedbergh who are on 6.30.
Sedbergh are ahead of Cranleigh (6.30) in third place thanks to a better points difference while fourth-placed Kirkham (5.50) are another team enjoying good form after wins over Harrow and Denstone in the last week.
Epsom have slipped to sixth place ahead of unbeaten Dean Close, the Cheltenham school who are maintaining their form to post a seventh win, 28-5, over King’s Worcester.
This match was staged on University of Gloucester’s all-weather pitch where Dean Close proved too strong in the last quarter. Tries were scored by Sam Burgess, Sam Porter, Matty Jones and Archie Whillock. Jack Park kicked four conversions.
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