THE young rugby players of Thomas Hardye School made history with a thrilling victory at Twickenham.

The Under-15s triumphed 62-7 against Dr Challoner's Grammar School in the Natwest Vase Final at the home of rugby.

It was a spectacular occasion for both players and fans, who celebrated wildly at the final whistle.

Fly-half Orlando Bailey, was named as man of the match after he contributed five conversions and a try in a dominant display by the unbeaten Dorchester school.

They scored an impressive seven tries in the first half to put the game beyond doubt and secure the win, which delighted coach, Chris Goulding.

He said: “I’m just the proudest coach in the world.

“The team, as you’d expect, are on cloud nine. The buzz right from the start when we started warming up, you could tell the team were focused.

“From when they stepped out on the pitch, the feeling was that it was going to be their day. After the early score, any nerves that they had were settled and they didn’t look back.”

Speaking about the build-up to the game, Mr Goulding spoke of the moment his side approached Twickenham for the first time.

He said: “The nerves were there early on but when we got the team together in the morning they disappeared. We know we’re a good team and that if we could put things together it would take a special team to compete with us, and we got it right. The boys were outstanding.

“One of the lads said it was ‘a little bit unreal’. You’re walking into a stadium which you’re used to seeing on television and you realise you’re actually there, so it was a bit like an out-of-body experience. But the boys lived with their nerves and kicked on.”

To win a national competition at the home of English rugby is a huge achievement, and Mr Goulding has said he couldn’t be prouder of his team.

He said: “The team have conducted themselves brilliantly since the start of September. 

“It’s exciting to have a team doing so well and that we can be proud of. It’s not just about winning, it’s the way they’ve held themselves and they’re a special team to get behind.

“There was a number of stand-out players. Obviously Orlando Bailey got the man of the match award, but there was a number of key contributions from every member of the team.

“There’s a number of individuals in the team who I can see continuing onto the highest levels of the game. Some of the lads are already being spoken about at that level. All 22 could be involved in rugby in some way but a few of them could go a lot further.

“They’re the happiest lads in the country at the moment, and I’ve spoken to the parents who are very proud as well.”

Celebrations are expected to continue into the weekend, with the players and coaches expected to receive a rapturous welcome as they arrive back in Dorchester.