HOLYROOD'S Year 11s became district champions at Chard RFC on Wednesday when they beat Stanchester Academy 24-22 in dramatic style.

Holyrood got off to a slow start, conceding two early tries.

However unanswered tries from Joe Mainwaring, Emil Szydetko and James Whitlock gave them a deserved 19-10 half-time lead.

Stanchester's outstanding outside half then scored a superb solo try to take the score to 19-17.

Mainwaring made a powerful run to score a try after a period of sustained pressure, to take the score to 24-17.

Stanchester came back with a breakaway try two minutes from time, but then the crucial conversion to level the scores was missed.

Holyrood retained possession from the resultant kick off and were awarded a penalty.

The kick at goal was missed and returned by Stanchester almost the entire length of the pitch. With their player looking certain to score and win the game, Szydetko appeared from nowhere and hauled him down.

Mainwaring, the man-of-the-match, was first on the scene to steal the ball and seal a Holyrood victory with a kick to touch.

Silas Vickery and Luke Carslake were both outstanding for Holyrood.

Holyrood Principal Martin Brook said: “The game was a fantastic advert for schools rugby with two very skilful and fully committed teams giving their all.

“We are delighted of course with a Holyrood victory as it is a fair reward for all the work that has been done this year by the coach, Simon Jenkins and all the players.

“However, I would also like to give credit to Stanchester, who played the game in exactly the right spirit and who were unlucky to come out second best on this occasion.”