By Murray Walker, RFU Press Officer

London and South East took the honours at the England 16 Group Schools Divisional Festival held at Castlecroft last month.

After defeating the Midlands, they accounted for the North, who had previously beaten the South West. James Hopkin (St David’s, Middlesbrough/Yorkshire) scored two tries for the North, but it wasn’t enough as the South East backs dominated the game, with outside centre Rory Hamilton-Brown (Millfield School, Somerset) also grabbing a brace, winger Mark Odejobi (Dulwich College) one, Liam Dateson (William Defferis School, Eastern Counties) one, and fly half Daniel Cipriani (Whitgift) also contributing with one try and two conversions.

Winger Ben Wright (Frederick Gough/Notts, Lincs & Derbys) secured the points for the Midlands, but No.8 James Phillips (Colston’s Collegiate, Bristol) grabbed one for the South West, converted by Michael Provis (Fowey, Cornwall) to put South West in the lead before hooker Matthew Deacon (Church Downs, Gloucester) sealed the win in the second half with another try.

A total of 76 players went through to the next Divisional Festival at the end of January when the national squad was being whittled down to prepare for internationals against Italy and Wales.

Results
London and South East 29-10 North
South West 12-5 Midlands