Front row (from left): S Meyers, M Di Ponio, J Tarrant, G Carroll (c), A Beckett, C Lord, C Hayes-Burt. Second row: G Wacokecoke, L Waddleton, C Dobinson, J Richards, E Wright, D Lewis, R Crowley-Power (dark top), A Cooper. Third row: G Hutchings, C Adams, J Willer, M Stanway. Back row: J Palmer, G Murray, L Ludlam, A Broom.

St Joseph’s held off King’s Worcester, Lymm HS and OSH to win the Team of the Month award for the first time. The Ipswich school quickly hit form in the spring term with emphatic wins over Campion and Coopers’ Company & Coburn, and memorable cup wins at Skinners’ School and Sir Thomas Rich’s.

Wing George Wacokecoke ran in five tries against Coopers and a vital try at Tunbridge Wells against Skinners, but the true character of the side came out in Gloucester, where skipper Gabriel Carroll got the winning try in the final play.

A fit, mobile pack that prides itself on doing the simple things well has provided quality ball for an inventive back-line. Lock Jack Palmer has carried ball and got over the gain-line consistently, hooker Chas Hayes-Burt has been a revelation in the loose and No 8 George Murray has been a great organiser, lineout operator and long-range goalkicker.

Flanker Carroll has been a non-stop worker in all areas. He, Murray and Shaquille Meyers make an outstanding back row.

Fly-half Joe Tarrant has been a great line-breaker, and centres Ethan Wright and Mike Di Ponio have run elusively and created chances for any fielded back three blend of Chris Lord, Austin Beckett, Wacokecoke and Mike Stanway.

Check out December’s School team of the Month

This article appeared in the April 2012 issue of Rugby World Magazine.

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