Wednesday 16th January

Boys' U16 Rugby - County Cup Final v The Gryphon School

On Wednesday 16th January, the U16 boys successfully claimed the inaugural Dorset & Wiltshire Rugby Schools Football Union (D&WRSFU) County cup in an enthralling final against The Gryphon School from Sherborne. The match, originally scheduled for the last week of the Christmas term, was played under lights at Dorchester RFC and despite failing floodlights, Canford held on to take the title with a 14 – 8 victory.

The Gryphon School contained 4 county players and started the game superbly by scoring a try from deep within their own half after just 30 seconds. Canford then gradually played their way back into the game and two well taken penalty goals from Tom Jenvey meant that Canford went into half time with a narrow 6-5 lead.

Recognising the need to take the game to the opposition through the forwards Canford began to dominate territory with James Stephenson and Max Bowers to the fore. A lineout close to the opposition try-line saw a trademark driving maul produce a great try and this stretched the lead to 6 points. The Gryphon responded with more pressure and a successful penalty goal reduced the arrears to just 3 points. The Canford players defended magnificently to hold out their opponents who were continuing to pile on the pressure. A superb forward drive then took Canford deep into The Gryphon’s ‘22’ where another penalty was kicked by Tom Jenvey to stretch the lead to an unassailable 14-8.

The whole squad, along with Mr Hobbs and Mr Shaw, should be congratulated on their success and the current U15’s will need to work hard next season to hold on to the trophy.