Perse U15 Rugby boys reach National Bowl semi-final

The Under 15A rugby team have had a campaign to remember this season, navigating their way to the National Bowl semi-final through a series of matches that tested everything from their fitness to their nerve.

The team started with a gritty win over The Leys followed by a convincing 50–0 away victory at Welland Park Academy in November. That second result was particularly encouraging for the way the boys played: structured, confident, and starting to put their training into practice in a real match environment.

January’s round-of-16 trip to Sibford School was a different kind of test entirely. The weather was awful, the pitch was heavy, and the conditions made flowing rugby nearly impossible. Perse scored early and looked on course, but Sibford weren’t done, fighting their way back into it and with the clock running down had closed the gap to just two points. What followed was a nervy, bruising defensive stand inside Perse’s own 22 before they finally held on to win 26–24.

The quarter-final took them up to Harrogate Grammar School and followed a similar script. Perse got out of the blocks quickly, only for Harrogate to grow into the game and eventually edge in front. With the score at 23–24 and time up on the clock, Perse earned a penalty in opposition territory and kicked the points up to another 26–24 win, almost identical to the one before, and just as dramatic.

The semi-final brought them back home in early March to face Richard Hale School. Conditions were good and Perse played some of their best rugby of the campaign in the first half, building an early lead through fast, expansive play. Richard Hale pulled one back just before the break, but Perse still looked in control.

The second half was a different story. Richard Hale came out with real physicality and started to dominate territory, eventually working the ball wide to turn the game on its head. Perse defended with everything they had but were edged out 14–17 in a match that could have gone either way.

A tough way to end what had been a brilliant run. This group represented the school with real credit throughout, and there’s plenty more to come from them.