Whitehead steals it for Campion

The comeback kings from Campion pulled off another dramatic Daily Mail Cup victory to edge out unbeaten RGS Newcastle in the last minute of their semi-final clash.

Their 17-16 win, following a similarly late triumph over St Peters, Gloucester in the quarter-final, sends the Essex school to the Twickenham final on March 31.

Saturday's game came down to a tale of two kickers, Campion's play-maker Michael Whitehead crowning an incredible fightback - as he did in the quarter-final - with a pressure conversion from scrum half John Brickell's late try after they had trailed 13-0 at half time at Castlecroft.

Referee Nick Williams decided there was time for one last play, and Newcastle conjured a penalty from 35 metres out. Up stepped hooker Matt Thompson, son of Dave Thompson, owner of the Newcastle Falcons. But the 17-stone Matt, still troubled by a thigh injury, sent the kick a foot wide, sparking ecstatic celebrations from Campion.

'It was a bit close for comfort again,' said Brickell. 'But we honestly believed at half time that if we stopped giving the ball away we could win it. This team has a great belief in itself whatever the odds.'

Durham stamped their passport to Twickenham after a ferocious game with gutsy Pangbourne College in the other semi-final. The game ended 10-10 but Durham went through on a 2-1 try count.