Berkhamsted v St Joseph's, Ipswich

Won 22 - 7

In what is an unprecedented level of success, the Berkhamsted U15 team have made it through to the seventh round of the Daily Mail cup. The boys beat St Joseph's, Ipswich, who were strong contenders, in a thrilling game on December 3rd.

Kicking off with a stiff wind behind them, St Joseph's spent long periods of the first quarter encamped in the Berkhamsted half and frequently pressed the line itself, but without creating decisive opportunities.

The Berkhamsted defence was watchful, winning the ball when it mattered, and slowly easing their way into the game. Some close handling support play, involving the back row, put the pressure onto St Joseph's and with five minutes to go before half-time the ball was moved to the right from a scrum on the left, twenty metres out, and a 'show and go' by inside centre Henry Bragg resulted in a try to the right of the posts. Dominic Fraser converted to put Berkhamsted ahead 7-0 at the half-time whistle.

With the wind behind them Berkhamsted began the second half confidently. Dominic's kicking at number 10 kept the opposition pinned in their own half. Outside Centre Charlie Rider scored after three minutes from kick off, taking us into a 14-0 lead, after Dominic once again converted successfully. St Joseph's continued to have the edge in the loose and after 10 minutes some canny probing with the boot by the St Joseph's fly-half left the Berkhamsted defence exposed on the left flank. The opposition broke away to score in the corner. A magnificent touch-line conversion followed and St Joseph's were back in the game at 7-14.

Berkhamsted continued to have the territorial edge and their support handling and distribution always threatened to turn the game decisively in their favour, despite vigorous tackling by the home side. A penalty in front of the posts, converted again by Dominic, gave Berkhamsted some breathing space at 7-17.

The St Joseph's pack were visibly wilting as the game entered the last ten minutes. A poor clearance under pressure led to the strong-running No 8, Iain Billington, launching an attack down the right. A nicely timed pass released Dominic Fraser who dummied the winger to score in the corner and put the game beyond the opposition's reach at 7-22.

Although the St Joseph's forwards and their fly-half kept them in the game, the quality handling and passing always came from Berkhamsted, particularly at 10, 12 and 13. Dominic Fraser, Henry Bragg and Charlie Rider always had too many ideas for their opposition defence. Their three tries were decisive.