Harrow leading new wave as eight teams reach Daily Mail Schools Rugby Trophy halfway point without defeat

Halfway in the 2016 Daily Mail Schools Trophy and it looks the most competitive since the launch in 2013.

Eight teams have scampered through the dry autumn unbeaten while champions Wellington, seeking a third title in a row, are also in the hunt despite a narrow loss to Whitgift.

Some other familiar names are in the mix, including the ever competitive northern powerhouses of Sedbergh and Kirkham.

But this campaign has also seen other teams rise to the top of this merit table competition which is organised by schoolsrugby.co.uk.

Sedbergh and Kirkham are joined in the unbeaten ranks by table leaders Harrow, Clifton College, St Peter’s of York, Rugby School, Brighton College and Sir Thomas Rich, the Gloucester academy school.

The autumn has produced many highlights. Harrow have grabbed top spot thanks to a run of six victories including two outstanding performances to finish the first half of the term.

A 27-15 win over Haileybury, in a showpiece game under the lights at Saracens, was followed by a 54-5 win against Berkhamsted.

All the unbeaten teams have had to show their mettle. Clifton and Gloucestershire neighbours Sir Thomas Rich have both downed Welsh rivals Monmouth while Rugby School, on the midlands circuit, have numbered Uppingham among their wins.

Sir Peter’s of York have kept in the shake up by beating Yorkshire rivals in former champions Woodhouse Grove and QEGS Wakefield.

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  <img id="i-ef6f494f2a8b42eb" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2016/10/27/21/39C95C6A00000578-0-image-a-2_1477601681699.jpg" height="1277" width="634" alt="Clifton's Penny sealed a memorable individual performance with three tries against Bristol GS" class="blkBorder img-share"/>

Clifton's Penny sealed a memorable individual performance with three tries against Bristol GS

There have also been some memorable individual contributions including those from two fly halves in Clifton’s Carwyn Penny and Marcus Smith of Brighton College.

Penny, the Wales schoolboy and Gloucester academy member, has helped steer Clifton into third place. Besides accurate place kicking he also produced outstanding individual efforts topped off by scoring three tries in the local derby win over Bristol GS.

Smith, an England Under 16 fly half last season, has also been a match-winner for Brighton. His kicking has helped maintain the Sussex team’s unbeaten run in several close calls against Cranleigh (6-3), St John’s Leatherhead (11-10) and Trinity (13-11).

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-3880182/Harrow-leading-new-wave-eight-teams-reach-Daily-Mail-Schools-Rugby-Trophy-halfway-point-without-defeat.html#ixzz4Orq68Pl6
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