SEEVIC College’s rugby team are just one game away from playing at the world famous Twickenham stadium after surging through to the semi-finals of the NatWest Schools under 18 Vase.

Seevic face Stockport Grammar School in the final four on Saturday in a game which will be played at Allianz Park, the home ground of Premiership giants Saracens.

Victory would see them reach the home of English rugby.

And their director of rugby Danny Cleare is rightfully proud of their achievements.

“The lads have done fantastically well to get this far,” said Cleare, who also plays for Southend Saxons.

“It is really rare for a Further Education College to get to the latter rounds in this competition.

“You have to come up against some of the most prestigious schools in the country who have had the same crop of players for many years and are therefore really well drilled and organised.

“The fact we are beating these schools is testament to the group of players we have and the hard work and sacrifice they make.

“As well as training three times a week in college hours they also stay late after college on a Monday and Friday for strength and conditioning, as well as giving up days in the holidays to come in and train.

“We have some really talented players within our group but what separates us from other teams is our togetherness and desire to succeed.

“For this reason I truly believe this group of players can create history and win this competition.”

Seevic have already won eight games to reach this stage of the competition and saw off St George’s College 30-19 in the quarter finals.

That delighted their captain Ricki Gould who has been thrilled by the side’s progression since the start of the season.

“At the beginning of the season we started a bit slow and it took us a couple games to really get into the swing of things, including playing new structures,” said the 17-year-old who also plays for Southend and Essex.

“But now I feel as though we are firing from all cylinders.

“Every round gets progressively harder but with that we manage to up our own game to the next level and the boys’ desire to win every game is second to none.

“We’re going to the semi-finals to win and achieve something no Seevic Rugby Team has ever done before.”

For more information about Seevic’s rugby academy visit www.seevic-college.ac.uk/sixth-form/sport/rugby