THE THOMAS Hardye School will face a “once in a life-time opportunity” today as they compete in the NatWest Under-15s Vase Final, which takes place at the home of English rugby, Twickenham.

The Dorchester-based team are set to take on Dr Challoner’s Grammar School in the showpiece event, after progressing through the seven previous rounds in convincing fashion, including games played at the home of the Saracens, Allianz Park, and home of the Cornish Pirates, the Mennaye Field.

Speaking ahead of today's final, which kicks off at 11am, teacher and team coach Mr Goulding said: “The kids are absolutely buzzing, it’s all they’re talking about at the moment.

“To get the opportunity to play at Twickenham is a once in a lifetime opportunity for them. We’re trying to keep their feet on the floor but they are very excited, although I’m not sure how much they’re concentrating on their studies at the moment!

“Pretty much the whole team have played together for about five years at Dorchester Rugby Club. That’s why they’re so well organised and well-drilled. The coach at Dorchester, Mike Spruces, has done a really good job at getting them organised.

“They’re a special year group. There are a few standout individuals, but actually our main strength is the strength of the whole team. We have 15 players who take to the pitch but there are 22 who are better than your average players. It’s a real team effort.”

Mr Goulding was also full of praise for the parents and supporters of the team.

He said: “The parents have been amazing all season. They’ve supported the team everywhere that we’ve gone.

“They’ve organised their own bus to Twickenham so there will be a parent’s bus which goes from Dorchester Rugby Club, and a team and supporters' bus, so there should be at least 100-150 people going to watch the game. We’re also streaming it at the school so the students who want to watch it can watch.”

The day promises to be a memorable one for everybody involved, and the team’s coach has said that the occasion has spread positive energy throughout the whole school.

He said: “It’s a prestigious event. It puts Thomas Hardye rugby and Dorchester rugby on the map a little bit. We’ve always been good but this is a particularly strong year and we’re performing very well.

“It’s a really nice, feel-good event for the school. Lots of the other children and staff are talking about it in the corridors, and we’ve had lots of exposure on BBC Spotlight and BBC South, so it’s a really nice time for a school which isn’t traditionally a rugby school.

“I’m so proud of all of the players, and particularly the way they’ve done it and conducted themselves. They seem to perform beyond their years when they’re on the pitch. They’re a special group of players who are playing some very good rugby at the moment.

“If they can perform how they normally do, I’m very confident that we’ll do well.”

The game is also being streamed live on:

http://www.englandrugby.com/news/watch-live-cup-and-vase-finals/