THE Clere School and Technology College scored a last-gasp try to secure victory in the inaugural Basingstoke RFC Schools' League.

The club ran a competition for players in years 10 and 11 during the first half of the autumn term, with all games being played at Down Grange.

A total of eight schools, The Clere, The Vyne Community School, The Hurst Community College, Cranbourne Buisness and Enterprise College, Bishop Challoner Catholic Secondary School, Brighton Hill Community College, Fort Hill Community School and Costello Technology College took part.

Matches took place simultaneously on four pitches at Down Grange. Games were 30 minutes each way and the competition was played over seven weeks, with all schools playing each other once.

Four points were awarded for a win and two for a draw, with bonus points awarded if a side was able to score four tries.

The competition, which was sponsored by Skilz Buliding Solutions and FX, went down to the wire. The Clere and The Hurst were level on 25 points going into the final afternoon, with The Clere ahead on points difference.

The Hurst kicked off their game against Cranbourne slightly earlier and secured maximum points, meaning that The Clere would need to do the same against The Vyne in order to win.

With less than three minutes to go, The Clere were winning, but had only scored three tries. However, a well-worked try in the closing stages saw them secure the vital bonus point to win on points difference and claim the top prize of 25 tickets to see London Irish play Wasps, which were kindly donated by the Premiership club.

The league was organised by 'Stoke's community rugby coach, Cliff Service, who clearly enjoyed the dramatic finale.

"It was a great way to finish a fantastic tournament," he said. "There was some brilliant rugby played and I was impressed by the standard of the players, some of who have joined the club, which is a real bonus.

"Last year schools were crying out for fixtures and we arranged a couple of games but we wanted to do something more. We have the facilities to set up a league and having it centralised makes things easier for the schools.

"The feedback has been that the tournament has been the talk of the schools. We have a full house for the Year 9 event, which is taking place at the moment, and are planning competitions for Year 8 and Year 7 pupils after Christmas."