Good opponents, great venue, fantastic result!

QE beat the highly regarded rugby team of a Lincolnshire grammar school in a special match at Saracens’ 10,000-seat home ground, Allianz Park.

The match was arranged by last year’s Mayor of Barnet, Councillor Hugh Rayner, and took place in front of a crowd that included QE Headmaster Neil Enright and the Chairman of Governors, Barrie Martin.

Councillor Rayner explained to the Barnet & Whetstone Press how the match had come about: “As mayor last year I visited both the Saracens and QE Boys on a regular basis. And when I discovered that the head master of my old school in Grantham, Mr Hedley, knew the headmaster of QE Boys in Barnet, Mr Enright, it seemed like a good idea to organise something.

“It gave the boys the opportunity to play rugby at an international standard ground and for the staff, governors and old boys from each school to meet up.”

The close-fought game saw the QE First XV, captained by Year 13 boy Callum Cuddeford (pictured below right with Councillor Rayner), hold on to clinch a narrow 17-15 victory against the Lincolnshire visitors at the large modern stadium in Mill Hill.

Jonathan Morgan, the PE teacher at QE who helped organise the day, said: “What a fantastic occasion – with a fantastic result! King’s Grantham is ranked higher than QE and has numerous county players so the boys were up against it. We performed really well on the day, going 17-0 ahead through tries from Sabesan Thayaparan, of Year 12,  and Thomas Archbold, of Year 13, who were among the day’s stand-out players. We let our concentration slip a little, but managed to hang on to get a brilliant result. I am very proud of the entire 22-man squad.”

At a special reception after the match in the Saracen’s Players’ Lounge, all the players received a medal, given by Jags Trophies, of Friern Barnet, in the executive box overlooking the pitch. The QE boys also received a winners’ shield. Captain Callum, who was Man of the Match, was awarded a rugby ball signed by England star Sam Burgess that was donated by rugby merchandise company Canterbury of New Zealand (part of the Pentland Group, based at Finchley).

“Councillor Rayner did much to organise the hospitality, and the boys appreciated tucking into their food after the game,” added Mr Morgan.

The intention is for the fixture to become an annual event from now on, and to raise money for charity in future years.