County joy for KES rugby players

Year 11 rugby players from KES Academy are the toast of the county after coming from behind to defeat Wymondham College 24-22 in a tense final.

Trailing 10-0 at the interval, a strong half-time team talk saw KES dominate in the second half to eventually take the honours 24-22 after an incredible battle.

KES Academy principal Sarah Hartshorn said: “What an amazing achievement that will drive them forward to future successes at King Edward VII Academy.

“Welcoming them back on site the next day, proudly wearing their medals, truly lifted the hearts of all our Year 11s as we celebrated their victory together.

“Such a memory making moment that will stay with them forever.”

Team manager and head of year 7, Danny Gay has been involved in some incredible sporting battles over the years – but nothing quite like this.

Speaking after the team’s triumph, Gay said: “Wow, I’ve been doing this for 15 years and I’ve never seen a final like this. It was an incredibly tense game and I’m a very proud teacher.

“It’s a great way for these students to end their five-year journey as a year group and it will live in their memories for a long while.”

KES led 17-10 with four minutes of the game remaining before two late Wymondham tries, one of which was converted, saw them trail 22-17 going into the final minute of a pulsating affair.

But straight from kick-off, James Leman was able to recycle the ball to fellow teammate Matthew Warren who ran in from 35 metres for a try to level the scores. In an incredibly tense finish, Mitchell stepped up to kick the conversion to complete a dramatic 24-22 win.