RUGBY: A day to remember (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

RUGBY: A day to remember

3:00pm Thursday 5th April 2012 in Rugby By Owen Houlihan

DAUNTSEY School’s head of rugby Marcus Olsen admitted he had enjoyed one of his best days in rugby after watching his U15s side lift the Daily Mail Schools Vase at Twickenham on Wednesday.

The West Lavington school team defeated Gloucester’s Sir Thomas Rich’s School 17-5 at the home of English rugby, flanker and man of the match Toby Small scoring two tries and captain Will Britton also touching down, Max Romer-Lee adding a conversion.

Olsen, who played professionally for both Bath and Saracens, said: “Without a shadow of a doubt it’s one of my proudest days.

“It’s exceptionally rewarding when you work with a group of boys from the age of 11 and watch them train hard and achieve something like this.

“We were a bit shaky in the opening five minutes and conceded a try, but after that we dominated the game.

“It’s probably the best game of U15s rugby I’ve seen.

“The school is very proud of them. There were hundreds from Dauntsey’s and former pupils and teachers and it’s been a fantastic day.’’

Olsen revealed that the team had received a pep talk from 2003 World Cup winner Richard Hill shortly before kick-off.

“I know Richard from my Saracens days and he spoke to them an hour or so before kick-off, which was a special moment,’’ he added.

The team’s preparations for Twickenham also included a training session with another 2003 World Cup winner, Bath Academy boss Danny Grewcock, and a Monday night stay at Pennyhill Park training base of the England team.

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