Leicester conquer the Mount
Leicester Grammar School kept their heads, took their chances and earned that vital slice of luck to win 15-14 at Mount St Mary's and reach the last 16 of the Daily Mail Under 18 Cup.
It was no mean feat considering what an intimidating atmosphere can be generated at Spinkhill and, with a big crowd behind them, Mount survived early Leicester pressure to take the lead with two penalties. But Leicester shocked the home side by intercepting the ballon their own 22 to score at the other end through centre Mark Johnson.
Full back Chris Barrow converted and extended Leicester's lead at half time to 10-6.
Soon after the interval, Mount were rocked on their heels again by another length of the pitch try from Leicester, the ball travelling between several pairs of hands before scrum half Stuart Kenney touched down.
Barrow hit the post with his conversion attempt and heralded a shaky ten minutesfor Leicester as they went off the boil.
Mount needed no encouragement and after a clearance kick was charged down, the excellent home forwards produced a try to cut the deficit to one point with two minutes left and the conversion to come.
'I thought it was all over,' admitted Leicester coach Troy Thacker, 'but the Mount lad pulled the kick wide. I really felt sorry for him but was obviously delighted for our boys as this was an exceptional win.'
Leicester will now play Bedford Modern at home after Christmas and may be able to call upon their England back row man Luke Abraham, who has missed all of the season so far while recovering from aknee operation.
Bedford Modern have proved an accomplished all-round side and reached the last 16 by putting out Cup specialists King Edward's, Stratford 26-17 away from home.
The decisive period came just after the break when Bedford scored three tries in 15 minutes from Wayne Chapman, Philip Boardman and Greg Irvin. KES, who produced excellent forward play throughout, came back strongly to score two tries but the damage had been done.
