Ipswich/London: Pupils from the town walk on to Twickenham turf in front of more than 70,000 people for national school rugby final
Copleston High School students play at a nationa schools rugby final at Twickenham - Credit: Archant
WALKING out on to the hallowed turf of Twickenham and competing in front of thousands of spectators would be a career highlight for most rugby players.
Girls from Copleston High School have played at Twickenham. - Credit: Archant
And one group of high school students from Ipswich has done just that after walking in the footsteps of the likes of Jonny Wilkinson to play in a rugby match in front of more than 70,000 people.
The team of Year 8 girls from Copleston High School earned their chance to play at the home of English rugby after getting through to the final of the RFU’s National Girls’ Schools Competition.
The 14-strong group had to compete in local and regional competitions before a series of matches were played between schools from across the country at Staines Rugby Club on Saturday.
Copleston’s team finished in the top two teams and went on to play in the final during half time of the Army v Navy rugby match.
The team played pupils from Gloucestershire School, Dene Magna, but narrowly missed out on lifting the cup after being narrowly defeated.
But John Yorke, head of PE at the school, believes the girls will remember the experience for a long time to come.
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Mr Yorke said: “We were undefeated all morning, we didn’t concede a try.
“We had a cracking morning, got all the way to the final, but unfortunately we lost out.
“Just to run out on to the pitch with the crowd there was amazing.”
The school is now building links with Woodbridge Rugby Club and Mr Yorke hopes the girls will be up for the challenge again next year and take the opportunity to play rugby outside of school.
He added: “It was an unforgettable experience. “I had so many comments from parents that it was such a great day.
“Hopefully it has inspired them to push on again for next year.”
