RUGBY players are hoping to cap a triumphant season with a triple haul of trophies for the second year running.
Carmel College, Darlington, under 14s rugby squad are looking to double up on a hat trick of awards to emulate their success of last season.
The 16-strong squad have already lifted the Cleveland County League trophy and the County Ten-a-side cups and are in training for the Seven-a-side competition, which will be held in February 2015 at Allens West, Eaglescliffe.
Carmel PE teacher Peter Phillips said: “To win the treble last season was an incredible accomplishment for the team but to do that two years running would be a unique achievement.
“We have a good cohort of club players among our squad, all of them forwards, but club or no club everyone plays first and foremost as a team – there are no superstars in our team just a full squad of excellent players.
“Winning the double treble has never been done before and I know the lads are already focusing on lifting the trophy.”
Carmel’s under-14s finished their cup run unbeaten in all league games and only conceded one try throughout the season.
Top try scorer Mitchell Wilson, 13, of Darlington, said: “It has been a brilliant season and we are all up for the challenge to get the triple haul again this year.
“It will be a great achievement if we can do it again, not only for the team but also for the whole school.”
Captain Sam Berry, 12 and his twin brother Joe are already training hard once a week in school and three times a week with Mowden Rugby club.
Fullback Sam said: “Expectation is high but we know if we play to our best we stand an excellent chance of winning the treble again.”
Joe, who plays prop for the school team and back row for Mowden, added: “A lot of our team also play for Mowden so we have a strong line of forwards in the squad. “It will be amazing if we can bring back all three cups to school for the second year running.”
