Fisher on the Brighton Road

Mike Davies, the John Fisher coach, set his players the target of aquarter-final place in their first tilt at the Daily Mail Under 18 Cup andafter surviving a torrid encounter at Richmond-upon-Thames College are one game away from achieving just that. It will mean another away trip toBrighton College on January 16.

'The lads got a bit upset when I said I didn't think we could win it thisyear, and would be laying the foundations for the next couple of seasons,'said Davies. "But it was no kidology and even though we have done very wellthis season and have some exceptional backs, our pack is a bit lightweightand we could struggle against the really top sides.'

Richmond paraded a huge pack and fancied their chances of an upset. ButFisher defended magnificently, took their chances and then could call uponthe cool head and accurate boot of full back Simon Love when it came downto the wire. Fisher played into the gale during the first half and concededan early penalty, but replied with an unconverted try from right wing RyanTracey and were pretty pleased to turn around trailing only 10-5 afterRichmond could only score one converted try.

Love then played his part byrestoring Fisher's lead with a try he converted himself and, for goodmeasure, he slotted over a penalty. Richmond put in a huge effort allthrough and scored at try in the corner to square the game up at 15-15 withtwo minutes left. But almost immediately the home side conceded a penaltyand Love stepped up to stroke the winning points.

Brighton and Cranbrook produced a cracking encounter, with the Collegescraping through 25-18.. 'It was fantastic game of rugby,' said Brightoncoach Richard Hallsall,' and a credit to both sides.' Brighton were leading20-18 with a minute to go when lock Josh Winter suddenly appeared on thewing to settle it with a unlikely try.

Cranbrook had led 10-8 at half timecourtesy off a converted George Hiller try and a James McBirnie penalty toa touchdown from Brighton wing Seb Akillian and a Giles Stubbs penalty.

Stubbs was to convert one of Brighton's two second half tries from outsidecentre Matthew Sleep which gave them a 20-10 advantage. But a secondMcBirnie penalty and a storming try off a line-out by lock Dan McKerrelenabled the visitors to harbour hopes of victory until the bitter end.