Officer Dipple exerts authority over Reading

Langley Park conquered their nerves to reach the U18 Vase semi-finals with

a dogged 15-8 win at Reading Bluecoat. "The prize is so great," said coach Frazer Thomson, " that players become

desperate not to lose.

"It was a tight, tight game I always felt we were

going to win. But now they have reached the semis, let's hope they can show

their real talent."

The Beckenham school won the U15 Vase at Twickenham last season but

Thomson has resisted any temptation to play any of them up this season.

"It's never been a policy of mine because you deprive one of the older

lads, who have played their way through the age groups."

Lock Dan Harding, Beckenham's top try scorer, went over again to give them

the lead and centre Jack Forrest nailed a penalty but Bluecoat fought back

to be level 8-8 at half-time.

It required a touch of class to win a tense game and Beckenham's fly half

Gary Dipple produced it 12 minutes from time.

The fly half caught a

Bluecoat clearance kick on their 10m line and sidestepped four players to

score a try converted by Forrest.

"If any try deserved to win such a big game, that was it," said a relieved

Thomson.