Ipswich are a growing force in the SOCS Daily Mail Schools Trophy

10/20/2022

Ipswich School are a growing force in the SOCS Daily Mail Schools Trophy after giving leaders Sedbergh a fright by pushing them close – while Millfield win the St Joseph’s tournament

Ipswich School are continuing to grow in the SOCS Daily Mail Schools Trophy
Ipswich pushed leaders Sedbergh close before losing 19-33 in a close match
The Suffolk team also won the Merchiston Castle festival tournament in Scotland
While Ipswich in Scotland, Millfield were winning the St Joseph’s tournament
They were undefeated over the two-day contest and finished by beating Trinity

Ipswich School continue to show they are a growing force in the SOCS Daily Mail Schools Trophy.

With half-term looming, the Suffolk team have given leaders Sedbergh a fright while also winning the prestigious Merchiston Castle festival tournament in Scotland.

Ipswich pushed Sedbergh close before losing 19-33 in one of the closest matches the formidable Cumbrians have faced in putting together an unbeaten run of five matches in the Trophy.

Ipswich School are showing they are a growing force in the SOCS Daily Mail Schools Trophy

While Sedbergh last weekend defeated Blackrock in Dublin, Ipswich demonstrated their improving form by winning the Merchiston tournament.

They defeated the host Edinburgh-based school, 19-5, in the final following earlier wins over St Benedict’s, Canford, Uppingham, Seaford and Boroughmuir.

Head coach Jacob Ford is a firm believer in testing his squad and added: ‘We enjoy a challenge and taking on Sedbergh away was a big ask but our players put up a good fight.’

Ford, brother of England’s George, is forging a talented squad including Northampton Academy hopefuls in centres Ollie Saddleton and captain Harry Simpson.

They are backed up by flanker Mart van der Veen, who is captain of Holland’s under-18s, and Italian Edorado Todaro at fly half.

While Ipswich were winning in Scotland, mighty Millfield were winning the St Joseph’s tournament, the major half-term tournament held in England.

It was a record eighth win for Millfield prompting long-serving director of rugby John Mallett to comment: ‘This squad have exceeded our expectations with the level of their performances.’

His team were undefeated over the two-day competition and finished by toppling Trinity, 8-0, in the final, featuring a try by George Cottrell made by back-rower George Timmons.

Millfield won the St Joseph’s tournament, the major half-term tournament held in England

In the Trophy, Millfield produced another outstanding display in toppling Wellington, 31-28, having started the autumn by losing to Clifton, 31-19.

Clifton will be among the challengers when the Trophy resumes after half-term. The Bristol school finished off before the break by toppling reigning champions Berkhamsted, 45-13.

Sedbergh lead ahead of undefeated Hampton, who have won six from six, followed by Clifton and Trinity.

The Trophy is played over the autumn term on a merit-table basis and is organised by SOCS, the schools system management company.