Nat West Cup - sixth round
St Benedict’s 5-6 Whitgift School
St Benedict’s were left wringing their hands as chances missed and injuries cost them dear.
The Ealing school finally got things underway on the artificial 4G pitch at Ealing Trailfinders on Wednesday night under floodlights, following several postponements.
However, things looked brighter for the Croydon school when they led through a penalty goal midway through the first half.
But Benedict’s replied shortly before half-time with a glorious running move from their own 22 that carved open the Whitgift defence.
Flanker Ollie Ainsby finally touched down for the try.
Glory beckoned, but the second half was a stop-start affair with injuries breaking the rhythm of any meaningful attacks. Defence was the name of the game, and Saints weren’t able to break through.
Instead, Whitgift inched ahead with another penalty, and held on by their fingernails to the end.
Nonetheless, the school in Eaton Rise had reasons to be proud, according to their coaches.
A spokesman added: “It was one that got away but overall it has been a tremendous season for the first XV.
“Coaches Kieran Power and Jim Joyce are very proud of the team for their exceptional effort and performance in getting this far in the NatWest Cup and for the fine results they have achieved in other matches.”
