Tonight:
5°c
Storming Saints take the prize
Evening Standard 11 Feb 2008
St Benedict's can add the Evening Standard January Team of the Month award to their growing list of achievements.
The Ealing outfit have led the 1st XV Super League since the start of the season and have won all 18 games.
Their thrilling brand of 15-man rugby, encouraged by coach Jesse Coulson, a former Super 14 player, has taken the London scene by storm.
Based on the team that won the Daily Mail Under 15s three years ago, the boys have a crucial game at Fortress Perivale tomorrow against Filton College for a place in this year's U18s semi-final. Last year they lost at the same stage unluckily to eventual winners Warwick 10-5.
Ably led by rampaging flanker Rowan Halsall, the Benedictine school will be praying to go one better this year.
Warming up for the tie in January, they defeated Whitgift 31-3, Reigate 43-0 and Hampton 60-0.
The prize, training tops from Canterbury NZ, is awarded in conjunction with schoolssports.com.
Coulson said: "This is outstanding and it's created a real buzz at the school. It's a reward for all the hard work over two terms. The Standard league is a great initiative and the boys are always on it to see if they are still top. The award is a welcome boost before our cup quarter-final against Filton. We're confident going into the game but it can all come down to the weather or the bounce of the ball at this stage so we'll have to see."
Cup news:
Evening Standard Super 1st XV league leaders St Benedict's are through to the semi-finals of the Daily Mail Cup after beating Filton College 17-8.
They were trailling 8-3 with only five minutes left, but two tries by England U18 hooker Arthur Ellis, playing at blindside flanker, turned the tide.
KCS Wimbledon were winning 9-8 at Warwick halfway through the second half, but succumbed 16-9 to last year's champions.
CLICK HERE FOR THE EVENING STANDARD SUPER 1ST XV SCHOOL LEAGUE TABLE
Reader views (1)
Congratulations to the players and staff at St Benedict's School for the Evening Standard Team of the Month award. It's well deserved and spurred them on to a gutsy 17-8 win over Filton College this afternoon, that puts them through to the semi-final of the Daily Mail Cup for the second year running. I'm hoping they will go all the way this year.
- Dc, Ealing, EALING, LONDON, 06/02/2008 18:03
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