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Bennies win new award
08.04.08
They lost a Twickenham cup final to powerful Wellington in one of the most tense matches seen in schoolboy rugby.
But table-toppers St Benedict's have the consolation of becoming the first winners of the Evening Standard Super 1st XV Team of the Year award.
In the Daily Mail Cup final, the Ealing school showed all the strength, spirit and flair that took them through 21 unbeaten matches before the final, scoring nearly 1,000 points.
But Bennies had only a Stuart Pearham penalty to show for 90 per cent first-half possession before Chris Lewis-Pratt slipped through for a converted Wellington try at the start of the second half. For the rest of the match, it was all Bennies but that crucial try would not come and 7-3 was the final score.
Coach Jesse Coulson said: "Losing one game doesn't make them a bad side. There were a few who can go on and play at international level. The Evening Standard award means a lot to the school and the boys."
Wellington, whose coach Graeme Owton hailed his team's defensive display at Twickenham, challenged hard for the Team of the Year prize - special shirts from sponsors Canterbury NZ - as did second-placed Epsom College. But St Benedict's are worthy winners.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FINAL EVENING STANDARD SUPER 1ST XV SCHOOL LEAGUE TABLE
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