Hannan can be Grove talisman

11:25am Friday 21st November 2008

Woodhouse Grove School have a tasty derby in the fourth round of the Daily Mail Schools’ Under-18 Cup.

They are at home to Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield in a contest in which neither participant can be claiming to set the world alight.

However, both have handicaps that have hampered their progress. In Grove’s case, it has been injuries but they can always turn to their talisman Harry Hannan.

The hooker, who also represents Yorkshire, is – like Grove’s coach Anthony Cadman, who is in charge of the white rose team – well aware of the threat that QEGS pose.

And just to remind Hannan, he will be packing down with some of the Wakefield boys tomorrow for Yorkshire against Lancashire at Ripon in the under-18 Roses match.

Hannan, who is a member of Leeds Academy, is widely tipped to go a long way in the game, has a formidable physical presence and is sure to pose a few problems for the visitors from his school position of the back row.

Fly half Elliott Cosgrove is another who has already put down a marker – this time with Castleford Tigers’ RL Academy – while the versatile Jacob Young has been in Yorkshire’s under-19 squad.

“Harry is big enough and strong enough to do the work of four men,” says Grove’s master in charge Roger Howard with tongue ever so slightly in cheek.

“He holds the side together by playing at No 8 generally and he’s very highly regarded.

“We’ve had a mixed season – largely because of injuries – and I think Anthony has done very well, all things considered.

“We’ll be going into the QEGS game as underdogs and we’re relishing the challenge. Nobody comes here and has an easy time.”

Grove won their third-round tie 29-12 at Rishworth School and the area’s only other survivors are Prince Henry’s Grammar School from Otley.

Their reward for a 17-5 victory at Harrogate Grammar is a tie at St Peter’s, York.

Prince Henry’s are out of the Daily Mail Under-15 Cup, however, Harrogate Grammar making their home advantage count this time in a 12-5 success.

Bradford Grammar are out of both main competitions, going down 15-8 at Crossley Heath in the third round of the Under-18s and bowing out as the home team in the third round of the Under-15s after a 14-14 draw with Leeds Gram-mar.

BGS can now concentrate on the Under-15 Vase.