Back row (l-r): A Shea-Simmons, O Dakin, B Elliot, O Webber, H Thomson, P Marmion, J Thomson. Middle: N Dix-Pincott (doctor), C Rowe (forwards coach), A Sandeman, R Roberts, O Feast, S Howarth, J Travers, T Stockley, W Hooley, B Adebayo, L Copley (master i/c rugby). Front: J Edwards, I Ekweremadu, S Herbert, F Heathcote (capt), W McGahey, T Bailey, O Lawson

THE CAMBRIDGE school win their first Team of the Month award, their Daily Mail-RBS U18 Vase win bringing the curtain down on one of their greatest seasons.

The side, based on the one that won the U15 Vase in 2009, won 17 games and lost just two – one when understrength in the Daily Mail Cup to Cambridge’s Hills Road VIth Form College.

Twickenham apart, the highlight was the 20-10 win over an Oundle side who were second best in almost every area. Tries from fly-half Will Hooley, full-back Jack Thomson, wing Seb Howarth and prop Tom Bailey clinched a famous win against the Vase favourites.

Led by Fraser Heathcote, the small co-ed boarding school – where rugby takes second place to hockey in the spring term – punched above its weight to reel off eight consecutive Vase wins.

Back-row Heathcote, Bailey and lock Hugh Thomson all had big seasons up front whilst The Leys had a canny general in England U19 cap Hooley. His awareness of time and space and fine kicking – out of hand and on the ground – were vital components in the side’s success and centre Will McGahey and Howarth benefited hugely from his judgement.

Howarth grabbed a hat-trick in the semi-final against Wirral GS, but at Twickenham it was Heathcote’s tireless and unselfish leadership that stood out.

Check out February’s School team of the Month

This article appeared in the June 2012 issue of Rugby World Magazine.

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