Croydon’s Trinity School director of rugby Aaron Liffchak praised his U13s’ “resilience and mental strength” after they came from behind to win the School Sports Magazine Cup final.

Facing Warwick School at Maidenhead RFC on Wednesday, Trinity found themselves 12-3 behind – with Joe Jones’ penalty their only points.

However, cheered on by more than 100 year 8 school mates, Trinity clawed their back through tries from Sam Tilley and Lorcan O’Byrne-Nestor, and a Jones conversion, propelled the Croydon school to a 15-12 victory.

Liffchak said: "There is always a lot of pressure in a final and this one was no exception.

“Both teams played incredibly well and Warwick deserves our congratulations, but I am absolutely delighted with the Trinity players and coaches.”

He added: “For a team to come back from 12-3 down against the wind and momentum shows a huge amount of resilience and mental strength.

“No matter what has been thrown at our U13s this year, they have managed to bounce back and play as a team to reach their ultimate goal of becoming the national champions.”