HEREFORD Sixth Form College Rugby Academy celebrated their league title success with a South African tour.

The team dominated the British Colleges West Midlands Performance League to retain the title they achieved for the first time last season.

Having secured the trophy, the squad then ventured further afield to take part in the Glenwood Rugby Festival in Durban.

They continued their home form by winning their first game against Lichtenberg High School from Johannesburg.

It was the highest standard that many of the players had played and collectively, they rose to the challenge, edging a 26-22 win with the last play of the game.

The second match two days later was a more physical encounter against Rustenburg High School, who had dominated against a strong school from Harare.

A technicality regarding player registration meant that the team took to the field without key players and, despite performing well and being in contention until late in the second half, a flurry of late scores flattered the opposition who ran out 52-5 winners.

This was the worst defeat that this squad had suffered and galvanized them for the final outing against Trinity High School from Pretoria.

The players dominated possession and territory but found the defence hard to crack.

The scoreboard remained tight going into the last few minutes with Trinity holding a slender advantage.

But the Academy showed their character and ambition to manufacture a fine score which clinched the game 14–12.