ROYAL Grammar School Worcester's director of rugby Ben Taylor was bristling with pride after his side produced their best performance of the season to clinch the Modus Challenge Cup.

Thomas Matthews’ second-half try and eight points from the boot of Joe Thomson saw RGS beat reigning champions King’s School Worcester 13-10 at a rain-soaked Sixways.

It was the first time RGS have won the annual competition since 2013 and Taylor admitted it was also their maiden victory in an injury-hit campaign.

“The most game-time we have had with our starting team was the first 10 minutes of our opening game of the season,” Taylor said.

“We then lost our hooker and since then we have had three or four players suffer concussion in the side.

“It’s been a really disjoined season and we have not quite clicked, but we had all bar two players back fit on Thursday so we knew we had a good chance.

“If ever you are going to step up it’s going to be this stage and they didn’t crumble under pressure.

“I am so proud they were able to give the best account of themselves.”

A Thomson drop goal on the stroke of half-time separated the two sides after Ethan Summerwill cancelled out the centre’s long-range penalty.

The match sparked into life after the break when Matthews sent RGS on the attack with a lung-busting run and deft offload before scoring from close range.

A Thomson conversion extended their lead to 13-3, but King’s came charging back. Summerwill touched down in the corner before landing the conversion to set up a tense finish.

But RGS held firm in what Taylor described as an “immaculate” defensive display and was keen to highlight fly-half Benn Llewellyn’s contribution.

“Benn was ferocious in the tackle,” Taylor said.

“He has struggled with that side of his game, but that was the best I have seen him.

“We knew they would put big boys down his channel, but he stood up to the test and was fantastic.”

King’s director of rugby Jonny Mason also praised their opponents’ defensive effort, but insisted he could not fault his players’ effort.

“The boys have worked very hard and created some good attacking opportunities, making a number of clean breaks,” Mason added.

“But we just could ‘t quite that second runner on the shoulder and we suffered because of that. But I thought RGS defended extremely well."