School profile: Outwood

One of the joys of the competition is that it throws up stories like Outwood Grange, primarily a rugby league and soccer school who have made it to the semi-finals at the first attempt by knocking out four rugby unionheavyweights, QEGS Wakefield, Durham and Bedford and St Paul's. Talk aboutthe magic of the cup!

The school, founded in 1970, is a large comprehensive two miles north of Wakefield and seven miles south of Leeds, which enjoys an enviable reputation and has just been granted Technology Status. It has a strong sporting tradition for both boys and girls but not surprisingly, coming from the rugby league heartland, has been prominent in that code. Theyturned to union last season looking for more rugby and decided to enter the Daily Mail Cup after winning the Yorkshire U14 Cup.

Captain and No 8 Jack Smith, lock Alex Kaihau, full back Daniel Hodson and prop Ben Barraclough are the only players with union experience outside of school at Sandal RFC where coach Paul McIntosh plays for the first team and assistant Steve Smith for the vets. Head of PE Andrew Green completes the coaching team.

Smith Jnr, Jack that is, has made the Yorkshire U15 squadand centre James Endersby, scorer of 17 tries in the competition, has represented Yorkshire at both codes. This strong, balanced runner scored from the halfway line in the last minute to secure the dramatic win over St Paul's in the semi-final. Smith, although carrying a knee injury, had comeon at half time and, with Outwood 20-10 down, scored the try which gave them a sniff of victory.

This spirited team have learned quickly moving through the rounds, improving their union skills but also relying on strong rugby league defence. They have had some excellent wins but none gave them greater satisfaction than a dramatic 10-8 win over local rivals QEGS. But just to show that the wall has finally come down between the codes, Outwood havebeen indebted to the staff and players from the QEGS U15 team, who have willingly helped out in their semi-final and final preparations.

ROUTE TO THE SEMI-FINALS

1st rnd: Penistone GS (h) won 51-0
2nd rndPocklington (h) won 71-7
3rd rnd Prince Henry's, Otley won 41-12
4th rnd:Lymm HS won 22-17
5th rnd QEGS, Wakefield (a) won 10-8
6th rnd Durham (h)won 38-21
qtr-final: Bedford (h) won 24-21
semi-final: St Paul's, Barneswon 22-20.