News
- Cranleigh completed unbeaten season to lift SOCS Daily Mail Schools Trophy
- A dramatic final weekend saw them triumph by beating Canford 48-20
- The school also valuer other extra-curricular activities including theatre
It's that champion feeling… congratulations to Cranleigh School who collected the 2019 SOCS Daily Mail Schools Trophy from James Kershaw-Naylor, the business development executive for SOCS.
Both Cranleigh and Wellington averaged 6.60 merit points per game but the former claimed their first title by gaining one more bonus point - 45 to 44.
Wellington, who had only lost to champions Sedbergh in winning nine games out of 10, kept the pressure on Cranleighby defeating Tonbridge, 28-22.
Cranleigh's most notable players were England under-18s Oscar Beard and Will Trenholm.
But it's not all about rugby as director of rugby Andy Houston explained: 'Within the team all the boys have to play different sports as well.
'Eight of the team were also involved in theatre productions last term with one lad travelling back from London to make our final game after auditioning for drama school in the morning!'
Cranleigh enjoyed an unbeaten season and are the fourth school to win trophy since 2013
Cranleigh are the fourth school to win the Trophy since it started in 2013 following Woodhouse Grove, Wellington (three titles) and Sedbergh (two titles).
Overall, the 2019 competition, staged throughout the autumn term, attracted over 100 schools from across England.
Epsom finished third after their unbeaten run had been halted by Cranleigh. Clifton grabbed fourth spot in an excellent campaign only stalled by losing at home to Wellington.
A number of other teams had memorable seasons led by three unbeaten teams in Dean Close, the Cheltenham school winning eight out of eight, Merchant Taylors' of Norwood, Herts (seven from seven) and Kirkham, from Lancashire (six out of six).
Barnard Castle, coached by former England scrum-half Lee Dickson in his first season after retiring from playing, also had a notable run in winning their first eight games.
For more information, please see the full article here.
