Wednesday 1 February 2012
Abingdon School 17 Dulwich College 17 (Dulwich qualify on away draw rule)
In near freezing conditions, the players, supporters and parents of the Dulwich College 1st XV travelled to Abingdon for this eagerly awaited Quarter Final. The game did not disappoint and provided one of the tensest finishes imaginable.
Dulwich dominated the early exchanges. Playing with the slight slope and breeze in their favour, the team broke through the Abingdon backline with ease, as Dominic Fraser released Tom Rosier with a deft back of the hand off load leaving a simple run in for Jamie Whiteford to open the scoring. Fraser duly converted. Dulwich were playing with great intensity and dominating possession and territory. John Winter, an U-16 Colt, playing at open side flanker, found himself in the right position close to the Abingdon line and made the final touchdown following a period of sustained pressure.
Following a second successful conversion from Fraser the game then swung as Abingdon began to move the ball, now playing with no pressure or expectation and in search of a way back into the game. Two simple penalty chances at the end of the first half left the score at 17-3 in Dulwich’s favour.
There then followed a spirited and uncompromising defensive display from the Dulwich team, the hall mark of this group of boys, who make themselves so very difficult to beat. It should be said that Abingdon had very much the better of the second half and deserved their two tries, but there was always a sense that Abingdon would find it very difficult to breach the Dulwich ranks on three occasions. Indeed through one passage of play Dulwich held their 5 metre line for 16 phases of Abingdon assault.
A fantastic achievement, we are all so very proud of the boys and we look forward to the Semi Final which is to be played on Saturday 10 March at Broadstreet Rugby Club in Coventry.
Mr Jamie King
Director of Sport