New Hall please! Duo win scholarships (From Echo)

New Hall please! Duo win scholarships

4:10pm Wednesday 11th January 2012 in Schools

LEIGH-based sporting stars Jake Harman and Charlie Lockhart are celebrating after being awarded scholarships to attend New Hall School in Chelmsford.

Jake, 11, was selected for the school’s rugby scholarship, while 12-year-old Charlie was picked in cricket.

And they are both delighted to have rewarded for their talents.

“It’s fantastic that Jake was picked out for the rugby scholarship,” said his father Kevin, Southend RFC’s former director of rugby who now works with Premiership giants Wasps.

“He was successful after attending selection trials and he’s really pleased.”

Jake has been playing rugby for Southend since the age of six as is part of the club’s improving mini and youth section, which has grown from 50 youngsters to 250 during his time at Warners Bridge.

Charlie has also shone on the cricket pitch and has played for Essex for the past three seasons.

Last year he was vice-captain and averaged 35 with a highest score of 90 not out.

And he will now be coached by former England and Essex captain Nasser Hussain at New Hall.

“Nasser puts in a certain amount of hours at the school each term and Charlie is very lucky to have someone like that helping him,” said Charlie’s father Jerry.

“That can only help him improve and he’s very pleased to have been picked.”