Schools Cup final defeat for reigning champions Trinity School

Croydon’s Trinity School could not repeat their heroics of 12 months ago, but head coach Paul Roberts was delighted to return to Twickenham in the Continental Tyres Schools Cup final.

It was a near-perfect start for the reigning champions, streaking into a 19-5 lead, but eventual winners Oakham managed to score a decisive try before half-time which turned the game on its head.

Oakham continued their momentum in the second half and swiftly took a 31-19 lead, which Trinity were able to reduce to 31-24, but it was not enough.

Roberts was honoured to attend Twickenham again on a day that showcased just what school rugby is all about.

He said: “We are obviously gutted, all the boys are gutted, but we are immensely proud at the same time.

“You get a sudden hit that it is the end of the season, and you feel proud of what they have done and how they played and kept going.

“It has been an amazing two-year journey for me, since that year off from Covid. I have just been along for the ride, and it has been great.

“Two teams went at it. We can feel proud of how we played. The Oakham boys will be proud of how they played as well. Hopefully it was a good representation that schoolboy rugby is really special.”

* The Continental Tyres Schools Cup is an important part of the age-grade rugby landscape in England, with schools’ rugby often where players fall in love with the game for the first time.

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