Beaumont School U15 girls’ rugby team competed in the National Finals for the third consecutive year, going one better than 2013 to finish second.

Having won both the county and regional tournaments earlier in the month, Beaumont travelled to the Richmond Athletic Ground to take part in the group stages of the competition. As in the regional competition, Beaumont played their toughest game of the group in the first match and were held to a draw.

Thereafter, with improved rucking and typically ferocious defence, Beaumont won the next four games, their group and a place in the National Final to be played before the annual Army vs Navy match at Twickenham Stadium.

In a suitably tight contest Beaumont fought to the very end, having a try disallowed, to finish runners-up.

PE teacher Ed Panting said: “’The squad represented the school in the best possible way and should be very proud of their achievement. The reason they are so successful is they can all perform the basic skills of rugby to a high standard, but particularly in defence, they knock the stuffing out of the opposition.’’