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The 2024 SOCS Daily Mail Schools Trophy is up and running, attracting more than 160 teams for this national competition played out over the autumn term.
The first weekend served up plenty of spills and thrills, including rare defeats for champions Harrow and high-flying Brighton College.
Harrow, who were undefeated last autumn, slipped up at Clifton, 26-12, while Tonbridge inflicted Brighton’s first loss since October 2022, 15-12.
Another outstanding display was produced by Haileybury, the Hertfordshire school which helped England hooker Jamie George on his way. ‘It was one of our best,’ was how ex-Welsh lock Michael Owen, head coach at Haileybury, described the 43-6 win over Felsted.
Owen was full of praise for England Under 18 back Fraser Rawlins who grabbed five tries in a memorable individual display. Rawlins, like George before him, is part of the Saracens academy and Owen added: ‘It was an exceptional performance. He is a great leader and someone who keeps getting better.’
Haileybury finished last year’s tournament just below the very best and on this form will be looking for another strong campaign.
Tonbridge’s squad does not include any England Under 18 squad players and head coach Rhys Crane puts their success down to teamwork.
Tonbridge’s pack — led by No 8 Freddie Skarbek — helped build a 15-0 lead before those renowned attackers from Brighton finished the stronger.
Crane, the former Sale and Bath back, said: ‘We had to defend wave after wave of Brighton attacks and just held on.
‘Overall, it was a very good game between two very physical teams. We just took our chances early on to get that lead.’
Brighton head coach Nick Buoy felt Tonbridge were better able to adapt to the wet weather.
‘Though it didn’t suit us, we still should have won,’ he said. ‘In the end we ran out of time.’ Buoy is expecting another strong challenge from Brighton, who have Seb McNamara (left) at fly-half in his third season of 1st XV rugby.
McNamara is also on the books for Cardiff Under 18s and forms a strong midfield with captain Ben Saunders. Whitgift twice led at Sedbergh in Cumbria. It needed two late tries from the home team to post a 33-21 win. Former champions Cranleigh outplayed Eton 41-0, while 2013 winners Woodhouse Grove beat Bishop Burton 24-21.
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