HARPURY College secured a memorable victory at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, lifting the Continental Tyres Schools RFU ACE Girls final after a commanding 43-5 win over Worthing College.

The match started cautiously, with neither side able to score in the opening minutes. Hartpury eventually opened the scoring through a well-worked try from Ellie Sampson.

That breakthrough set the tone for the rest of the first half, as the Gloucestershire side quickly built a 24-0 lead. Tries from Taufa Tuipulotu, Saffiya Smaili and Darcey Howchin gave Hartpury a commanding advantage by the interval and reflected the team’s relentless work ethic and skill.

Worthing did manage to register a try after the break, but Hartpury’s determination never wavered. Charlie Williams crossed twice in the second half, while Abi Griffiths added a further score, rounding off a performance that left the opposition struggling to keep up.

Head coach Lewis Arnold, watching proudly from the sidelines, described the win as “a very enjoyable day. We were on the wrong side of the final last year so to see the girls win today and lift the trophy has been amazing. We focused a lot on our defence, and they held up brilliantly today. I’m really proud of all the players. This win is right up there in my career.”

Last year’s final had been a heartbreak for Hartpury College, with Exeter College running out 41-33 winners in a thrilling but ultimately disappointing encounter.

The competition attracts schools from across the country, aiming to boost participation and encourage young players to develop their skills.

Current figures show that the number of Age Grade players has risen 6% year-on-year to 181,453, with an impressive 14% increase in girls’ registrations. The rising interest is evident in the standard of play, with the Cup providing a platform for future stars to emerge.

Arnold added: “Hopefully we’ve seen a few future Red Roses today. Hopefully that’s the first of many appearances for the girls at Twickenham. Darcey Howchin was a warrior, our captain. She was unbelievable today.” His praise highlighted the role of strong leadership in the team, with Howchin setting an example both on and off the field.

RFU executive director of rugby development Steve Grainger said the finals were “a massive highlight for us; three days of rugby action, first at the Trailfinders then the Allianz. It’s a culmination of a huge amount of time, effort and energy for both the players and for the teachers in schools right across the country.”

“We’ve seen a really high quality, right from the opening rounds. It’s intense, there are a huge number of schools that enter the competition and the quality of the rugby is so high, you are inevitably watching some stars of the future in these tournaments.”

The Continental Tyres Schools Cup remains a vital part of the age-grade rugby landscape, inspiring young players and offering a first taste of the sport at its highest school level.

Many local players who begin in schools in and around the Forest will now see pathways leading to national recognition, with Twickenham offering a glimpse of what the future might hold.