Stowe coach bans the T word

Stowe are just one game from the Vase Final after winning 15-3 atColchester VIth Form College but coach Alan Hughes has banned his team fromusing the T word - Twickenham - as they head for Castlecroft on March 11.

'We're just delighted to be in the semi-finals after a mixed bag of aseason,' said Hughes.

'We lost more than we won before Christmas but theteam has been strengthened all round by our best Under 16s coming throughto join the squad. But I've told the players to forget Twickenham andconcentrate on King's, Peterborough.'

The Bucks school were indebted to a try close to the posts after just twominutes at Colchester from Malcolm Reilly.

The fly half converted and then put over a 40m penalty in difficultconditions to establish a 10-0 half time lead. Full back Harry Trelawneyscored a second try and although Colchester managed to convert one ofseveral penalties, Stowe's defence held out.

The West Country will have a presence in the semi-finals after Churchillfrom Bristol defeated Surrey's Glyn 25-3 today.

Two Under 15 quarter-finals are still to be played. King Edward's,Birmingham play Yarm tomorrow but Bradford Grammar School's home tie withBromsgrove has been put back until Tuesday because of the bad weather.