The Bishop’s Stortford High School reach Continental Tyres Schools Cup Under-15 Vase final for first time

The Bishop’s Stortford High School’s Elliot Kelsall hailed his close-knit side as they reached the final of the Continental Tyres Schools Cup Under-15 Vase for the first time in their history.

The team from the Beaumont Avenue secondary ran out dominant 33-8 winners against Gresham’s School at Aylesbury RFC to secure their place in the final.

Two tries from inside-centre Zach Spring helped TBSHS ensure book a showdown with St Paul’s School at Ealing Trailfinders on Tuesday March 11.

“I’m dead proud,” said Kelsall, the school’s head of rugby.

“It’s a really close-knit group of boys that work really hard. They get better week on week, they seem to be listening to everything I tell them and improving quicker than we ever thought they could.

“It was a really tough ask against a strong team and we managed the game really well. I’m very happy and so are they.

“It’s a big moment for the school. It’s the first time we’ve ever reached the national final in rugby. I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do over the next week or so.”

While Kelsall’s side have been on an impressive run this season, it is a journey they started far earlier in their school careers.

Since joining the school in Year 7, this age group have lost just two matches, having shown their potential from a young age.

“I started taking these guys in Year 9 and I knew there was a bit of potential there, but it was very raw,” said Kelsall.

“They’ve really bought in. They are so hardworking on the pitch, they’re so committed to training off the pitch and they fully deserve it. I’m so proud of the journey we’ve had.

“We expected them to be one of our stronger year groups, but never at this level. Full credit to the boys, their club coaches and all the PE staff who have coached them along the way.”

The competition is giving the players the opportunity to showcase their development on bigger stages, with England star George Furbank among the spectators at Aylesbury.

“Scrum-half Ciaran Wilson had a mature head, scored himself a try, was always in and about it with some really good box kicks and big tackles,” added Kelsall.

“But there's not a player that didn’t put a lot in today. All the forwards were everywhere.

“To not concede a turnover in a semi-final at your own breakdown, the clear outs were there, the work rate was there. Everyone deserves an applause for that.”

The Continental Tyres Schools Cup is an important part of the age-grade rugby landscape in England, with schools’ rugby often where players fall in love with the game for the first time. For more information, visit the Continental Tyres Schools Cup section of the England Rugby website.