FILTON College, Bristol won a dramatic De La Salle Cup final at St Joseph's Rugby Festival yesterday.

Mike Bacon

By Mike Bacon

FILTON College, Bristol won a dramatic De La Salle Cup final at St Joseph's Rugby Festival yesterday.

The south-west team kicked a late penalty to see off Millfield 13-10 at the end of another hugely successful weekend of college rugby at the Ipswich venue.

Glorious weather and big crowds once again saw St Joseph's College put on a first-rate rugby festival, which is now regarded as one of the best in the country, this year's headline sponsors being Online Roadways.

England international Peter Richards was also on hand, to present the player of the tournament to Johnathan Joseph of runners-up Millfield.

The host side opened the festival with a first match against Ivybridge but looked very nervous in the first half which saw them concede tries from mistakes resulting in a 22 - 0 defeat. Their second match in the day was against RGS High Wycombe, which saw them lose 24-5 before gaining a win against newcomers Robert Clack of Dagenham with a 19 -7 win. The young squad were unable to match the level of skills and organisation shown by these sides and so found themselves competing in the plate competition on Sunday.

Other group 1 matches saw Ivybridge and RGS High Wycombe qualify for the cup competition.

In the tightest group of the tournament group 2 saw Truro, Dulwich and St Peters all finish with two wins. However late tries from Truro against St Peters saw them head the group. St Peters who were leading the group going into this round of matches failed to score enough tries so finished in the plate competition as Dulwich overtook them on points difference.

In group 3 last year's runners up Millfield and Brighton were clearly the strongest sides although Millfield ended the day putting down a clear marker of their abilities by beating Brighton 50 - 7. Both sides progressed into the cup competition as Bridgend and KCS Wimbledon went into the plate.

In the final group, QEGS and Filton were the outstanding sides and it was the game between the two teams which decided first place in the group. QEGS took the honours with a hard fought 3-0 win. Merchiston from Edinburgh after two close defeats ended the day with a fine win over Campion..

The plate competition was also decided by another exciting match that was won by Bridgend, Wales 5 - 3 against St Peters, Gloucester. This is the first time that a Welsh side has won a trophy at the St Joseph's festival.

Other events to keep the spectators entertained included an Indoor Golf simulator, numerous trade stands and a truly outstanding girls exhibition match between St Joseph's girls first seven and The Kings School, Macclesfield that resulted in a home team victory by 51-0. The Principal of St Joseph's College Sian Grant was delighted to see this development and looked forward to further girls matches in the future.

Saturday's results

St Joseph's 0 Ivybridge 22, Robert Clack 0 RHS H Wycombe 10, St Peters, Gloucs 19 Whitchurch 13, Truro 10 Dulwich 12, Bridgend 3 Millfield 15, KCS Wimbledon 0 Brighton 41, QEGS 14 Merchiston Castle 0, Filton 20 Campion 0, St Joseph's 5 RGS H Wycombe 24, Robert Clack 10 Ivybridge 15, Truro 17 Whitchurch 10, St Peter's Glouc 5 Dulwich 3, KCS Wimbledon 3 Millfield 26, Bridgend 0 Brighton 7, Filton 31 Merchiston Castle 0, QEGS 26 Campion 0, St Joseph's 19 Robert Clack 7, Ivybridge 15 RGS H Wycombe 10, Truro 19 St Peters, Gloucs 5, Dulwich 29 Whitchurch 12, KCS Wimbledon 3 Bridgend 19, Brighton 7 Millfield 50, Filton 0 QEGS 3, Campion 6 Merchiston Castle 13.

Sunday

St Joseph's 0 Campion 7, St Peters 24 KCS Wimbledon 3, Bridgend 10 Whitchurch 0, Ivybridge 0 Filton 18, Truro 3 Brighton 0, Merchiston Castle 10 Robert Clack 7, Millfield 12 Dulwich 0, QEGS 7 RGS H Wycombe 0, St Joseph's 3 KCS Wimbledon 0, Bridgend 29 Robert Clack 0, St Peters, Glouc 6 Campion 0.

Ivybridge 0 Brighton 17, Truro 5 Filton 5, Merchiston Castle 14 Whitchurch 5, Millfield 17 RGS H Wycombe 0, QEGS 15 Dulwich 3, Bridgend 10 Merchiston 10, St Joseph's 0 St Peters 19, KCS Wimbledon 6 Campion 5, Ivybridge 7 Truro 22, Brighton 5 Filton 17, Robert Clack 6 Whitchurch 8, Millfield 26 QEGS 5, RGS Wycombe 24 Dulwich 8

Plate Final: Bridgend 5 St Peters, Glouc 3

De La Salle Cup final: Millfield 10 Filton 13.