Bablake 1st XV Wins The Captains' Game At The Old Wheats

Glorious sunshine helped inspire a feast of exciting rugby at the Old Wheatleyans RFC yesterday as captain Brad Pinkham led his 1st XV side, bolstered by a few Old Wheats guest players and the return of 5th year leavers Paul Gascoigne and Jamie Jack, to a 31-24 victory over Huw Edwards' Former Captain's XV.

Collecting the Ladderick Hartlett Memorial Shield from Mrs Jan Mason, Brad was able to reflect on a hard fought, pacy fixture that entertained the excellent crowd with exciting play from both forwards and backs. The school has now won 5 of the 11 fixtures played for this trophy.

Having taken an early lead, the school had then conceded 3 tries before half time and another just after the break, as Huw Edwards' team used the stiff breeze cleverly.

However, as one side began to see the excesses of university life take their toll with fitness levels, Paul Wilkes rallied the school pack impressively and the game swung to the extent that the Former Captain's XV needed a converted try with the last move of the game. Frank Sackey's legendary pace on the wing almost brought a dramatic final score but he was safely marshalled into touch.

Many thanks as ever to the Old Wheatleyans RFC for hosting the fixture and we were delighted to hear that over £700 was also raised for Cancer Research on the day.

To view photographs from the match, please click here.