Warwickshire & West Midlands Sport

Thompson points the way way to cup success

WARWICK School reached the quarter-finals of the Daily Mail Cup for the third time in four seasons following a thrilling 15-13 victory at Oakham School.
But they had to come from behind with wing Jean-Claude Thompson proving the hero by scoring all 15 points via two tries, a conversion and penalty.
Warwick enjoyed the lion’s share of possession for much of the first half but failed to convert it into points and Oakham took the initiative with two excellent penalty kicks which gave them a six point lead going into half time.
A turnover in midfield after good approach work from No 8 Teddie Russ produced a three on one overlap for Oakham but Thompson intercepted and ran in 50 metres to score a try he also converted.
Jack Worlidge produced plenty of excellent work in both attack and defence at the lineout which provided a good attacking platform but a lack of support in phase play coughed up the ball to the Oakham defence.
They took full advantage by releasing their impressive outside centre into space and the Oakham forwards were in support for a well worked opportunistic try.
The Warwick forwards continuously produced good quality front-foot ball and, after a period of concerted pressure, scrum-half George Hardy put up a perfectly judged box-kick that came down on the try line into Thompson’s hands for the vital score in the corner.
Warwick remained dominant in the set-pieces, while Oakham looked to attack the short side which was well defended by Peter Morse.
Victory was sealed when Oakham were penalised for dissent and man of the match Thompson stepped up from the touch line to bisect the posts with an excellent kick.
Warwick now face a trip to Stowe School in the last eight on Wednesday (February 10).

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