GRAND CAMPION!

By Rob Wildman   Two victories have Essex school eyeing a brilliant top ten finish   CAMPION SCHOOL remain on course for their best ever finishing the SOCS Daily Mail Schools Trophy. The national competition is entering its finale and the Essex school have lifted themselves into sixth place after successive wins over Croydon-based John Fisher, 36-22, and a 72-10 romp against St George’s Harpenden.   But the victories have brought a warning from long- serving director of rugby Mike McDarby. ‘We’re sitting in the top 10 at the moment, but we’ll need to test the depth of our squad to hold on to that spot,’ he said.   ‘John Fisher were outstanding and probably deserved to win. All credit to them for stopping us from playing the way we wanted. ‘Our lads showed great character though, battling back from 22–15 down with 15 minutes left.’ Helped by the return of hooker Charles Rotimi from the England Under 18s training camp, Campion fought back in those last minutes.   Centre Zac James was prominent in the midfield while up front No 8 and captain Joe Buscombe and prop Dylan Jenkins backed up Rotimi. Campion had hopes of a top 10 finish last year only to be pushed back into 13th.   However, such a placing represented a major triumph considering they had slipped to 78th in 2023. Their only defeat so far came early on against Ipswich School and that setback was avenged in a National Cup rematch last week, which was won 34-19. Northampton School for Boys, also from the state sector like Campion, have retaken second place in the table following a 35-21 win over Whitgift.   That came after Warwick had edged them out the previous week 26-24. Leaders Sedbergh did not play this weekend following a midweek defeat to Wellington College 20-17 in the annual clash at Broad Street, the Coventry club whose central location makes it an ideal venue.   Sedbergh need wins at home against Millfield (on December 3) and King’s Macclesfield (on December 9) to remain ahead of the chasing pack in a competition that is played under merit table rules.    For Warwick, that narrow victory over Northampton ended a tough run of three defeats on the road against Sedbergh and Bedford in the Trophy, plus at Old Swinford in the National Cup. Dave Hesketh, Warwick’s director of rugby, said kicker Fin Gravenor proved the difference against Northampton.   He said: ‘We relished being back at home and played with real enthusiasm and intent. ‘In the end it was the kickers that separated the teams, who both scored four tries each.’ Warwick were also well served by another name to follow in England Under 18s scrum-half James Townsend, who set up Will Payton for the first try.