Hymers College entertain in landmark rugby year Former England prop Paul Huntsman, the school's current head of rugby, oversaw a squad of doughty, spirited players who warmed up on the school fields for pre-season training, which started in July. A number of special events had been organised to celebrate the historic centenary year. In late August the squad headed to Club Correze in France to add the finishing touches to their preparations, with fixtures against Tulle RFC and Bort Les Orgues RFC. The season started disappointingly against a powerful President's XV, who possessed too much power and pace for the new First XV, while Yarm School proved to be too strong in the first game of the regular season. Yet the team has enjoyed some notable successes - against Ampleforth College, Bradford Grammar School and Pocklington School - but they struggled to convert territorial dominance into points throughout the season, despite keeping the majority of possession in a number of games. "The team was well led by captain David Harrison, who, along with openside flanker Peter McGlynn, have been outstanding performers throughout the season," explained the college's director of sport Nick Gandy. What hampered the team was the lack of a regular, consistent goal kicker and at times the backs struggled to break the advantage line to land a killer blow. In the National Schools Under-18 Cup the team enjoyed comfortable victories against John Leggott Sixth Form College and Queen Elizabeth's High School, Gainsborough, before succumbing to QEGS Wakefield in round four. "The School was honoured to be asked to play as the Guest XV on Rugby School's fixture list this season," explained Gandy. In a tight game, Rugby scored two late converted tries to win 25-8, although Hymers squandered a few opportunities to win the game, especially after the interval. The final game of the centenary season took place on Sunday, when the school hosted the Independent Schools'Lambs XV. The visitors won a closely contested match 19-15, with David Elliott, from Durham School, scoring three tries for the invitational side and Sedbergh's Miles Lloyd kicking two conversions. Tyler Heelas, Alex Chisem and Brandon Faulkner scored tries for the home team. Elsewhere, England full-back Ben Foden's old school has a tremendous team this year. The Cheshire state school Bishop Heber's Under-15 side are having a remarkable run, and are developing a fine crop of players. The Under-15s, who have just reached the last 16 in the National Schools Cup after defeating RGS Lancaster 25-12, have relatively limited facilities, but the coaches continue to foster a fantastic team spirit. The Bishop Heber boys play an aggressive style of quick-rucking rugby. Six members of the team have been granted Academy places at Sale and Warrington Wolves. They play Bradford Grammar in the quarter-finals of the National Schools Cup on January 16, 2013. Aviva and The Daily Telegraph, recognising tomorrow's champions today. Email your letters on school sport to gareth.davies@telegraph.co.uk