Plymouth College: back row: B Dean, J Mason, A Lochhead, J Norris, M Earle, H Slade, T Cleneghan, W Dickinson, C Scholtissek, C Attis, N Majilessi. Front row: T Stevens-Fleming, O Mulberry, O Wace, J Dawe, J Tolan (capt), B Jackson, C Maidment, G Stephenson.

Plymouth College fended off St Joseph’s College, Monmouth and The Grammar School at Leeds to land their first Team of the Month award. The Devonians gained major scalps in Kirkham GS and Bryanston, and reached the sixth round of the Daily Mail RBS Cup with a 33-7 win at Truro.

Under coaches Rich Thompson and Richard Edwards, Plymouth have upgraded their fixture list and the defeat of top Western Schools League side Kirkham confirms their heady progress.

Tries by hooker Jon Dawe and scrum-half George Stephenson, plus ten points from the trusty boot of England U18 squad No 10 Henry Slade, gave Plymouth their best win in many a year.

Things got even better when outplaying Bryanston by 36 points. Stephenson again shone with three tries but this was a great team effort, the forwards dominating after weathering an early storm, Dawe, locks Will Dickinson and Tom Cleneghan and prop Alistair Lochhead punching above their weight. The side like to play expansively, but have the weaponry to adapt.

Formidable half-backs in Slade and Stephenson, and strong centres in skipper Josh Tolan and Toby Stevens-Fleming, have been at the heart of the scoring.

This side has grown up through the school and 11 of the regular starting XV were together at Plymouth College Prep School.

Do you want to buy the issue of Rugby World in which this article appeared? Back Issues Contact John Denton Services at 01733-385-170 visit http://mags-uk.com/ipc

Or perhaps you’d like a digital version of it delivered direct to your PC, MAC or Ipad? If so click here.