They may be nicknamed the ‘Teddies’ but they are proving far from cuddly in this season’s SOCS Daily Mail Schools Trophy.
St Edward’s have so far inflicted a rare defeat on Rugby School, 20-0, and are aiming to topple high-flying Clifton this Saturday.
Teams at the Oxford school have gradually improved since 2011 when they won only once.
St Edward’s are looking to topple Clifton this Saturday in the SOCS Daily Mail Schools Trophy
Last season they won seven games from 11 giving Rob Cottrell, their director of rugby, more belief that the hard work was paying off.
‘We are certainly improving and have some good players who are all keen to do well,’ Cottrell said.
St Edward’s this week called in Russell Earnshaw, the England sevens coach, for a session.
Cottrell added: ‘Russell helped give everyone – players and coaches – a different perspective.
St Edward’s, nicknamed the ‘Teddies’, have so far inflicted a rare 20-0 defeat on Rugby School
‘The win over Rugby was very good because they were unbeaten last season and it was certainly a marker for us. But Clifton are just as strong and it’s going to be a hard trip.’
St Edward’s are building a combative team around prop Harry Woodall, No 8 Cameron King and scrum-half Luke Valentine who kicked 10 points against Rugby alongside tries from wing Archie Nicholson and lock Nick Moisy.
The notable win was part of the third full week of action in this autumn term competition sponsored by the school management system SOCS.
The school’s director of rugby, Rob Cottrell, believes the side are ‘certainly improving’
Dulwich, the former national school cup champions, look to be back on track after a quiet campaign last season when they won four games from 11. A 13-12 win at Epsom College came after a first half when the hosts built a 12-3 lead.
While champions Wellington won a third successive match, overpowering Tonbridge 65-7, arch-rivals Sedbergh are also piling on the points.
The Cumbrians are undefeated in three games and dismissed RGS Newcastle 73-0, scoring 11 tries. Tom Curtis landed nine kicks out of 11.
St Peter’s of York are also among the pacemakers on the northern circuit beating former champions Woodhouse Grove and Ampleforth.