LYMM High School's senior rugby union team are through to the quarter finals of the NatWest Cup for the second year in a row.

A 32-15 away to Hymers College in Hull hands the under 18s side a trip to Oundle School, near Peterborough on Thursday.

Now Lymm, ahead of a third successive away tie, are hoping their advancement to the knockout stages last year will help an already impressive bid to reach the semi finals.

In their way is a side coached by former England internationals John Olver and Simon Hodgkinson.

"Hopefully with the experience of getting to the quarter finals last year with the majority of this squad will benefit us," said Len Davies, Lymm's master in charge of rugby.

"Oundle are not on our normal run of fixtures and with two ex-full England internationals coaching, we expect them to be well prepared and with a slight advantage being the home school.

"However, we only have one major injury blow with our centre Callum Harris having had a shoulder operation, therefore should be able to give a good account of ourselves."

Davies said the forwards can lay down a platform for Lymm's England half backs to work their magic at Oundle.

"The forwards are improving with Oscar McCormack (North prop) and Drew Fray (Sale Academy second row) backing up the excellent back row trio of Nat Johnstone, Alex Nolan and Sale Academy number eight Joe McGrail.

"This has improved the quality of ball that the England half backs Alex Mitchell and Mark Dixon receive and hopefully can put to use.

"The lads are all looking forward to the match, although training has been hampered by the freezing weather.

"Coaches Lee Pickles and Huw Thomas have had to devise other ways to keep the lads sharp and on their toes - touch rugby in the swimming pool being one!"

Lymm's game management in tough conditions stood out in the last 16 at Hymers, taking a 27-0 lead into the second half after making the most of the elements in their favour.

But it was an earlier 50-0 victory against Merchant Taylors that really caught the eye of Davies.

"The last 16 at Hymers brought with it the away element, having the whole of Hymers School on pitch side cheering and an extremely strong gale blowing down the length of the pitch," said Davies.

"This meant the opportunity to spread the ball was restricted and gave the match the classic 'game of two halves'.

"The win over Merchant Taylors was some of the best rugby I have seen in all my 38 years teaching / coaching at Lymm, but that was the last time we played on our home pitch."

Lymm's results so far: Walkover win against Sir John Deane's College, Lymm High VC School 50 Merchant Taylors' Boys School (Crosby) 0, Lymm High VC School 55 Altrincham Grammar School for Boys 7, Worksop College 7 Lymm High VC School 24, Hymers College 15 Lymm High VC School 32.

* Lymm's under 15s went out of the NatWest Vase at the last stage with a 5-0 loss at RGS Newcastle.