Bradford GS beat Ampleforth and Stonyhurst ahead of the SOCS Daily Mail Schools Trophy, while England fly half Marcus Smith returned to Brighton College to watch the clash against Hampton

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A summer trip to South Africa has given Bradford GS the perfect warm up for this season's SOCS Daily Mail Schools Trophy.

The Yorkshire team, who were once among the very best rugby-playing schools, are hopeful of a strong campaign under the guidance of former England wing Dan Scarbrough.

Wins over Ampleforth and Stonyhurst have already provided a dividend from that trip to South Africa.

Bradford (above) took a trip to South Africa ahead of the SOCS Daily Mail Schools Trophy

'The tour brought everyone together and made us focus on the season ahead,' Scarbrough said.

'We are rebuilding like many teams after the problems presented by Covid and we are hoping to have a good year.'

Bradford GS followed an opening 22-10 win over Ampleforth by overturning a 12-0 lead for Stonyhurst.

Bradford managed to secure wins over Ampleforth and Stonyhurst as a great warm-up

Lock Sam Bryan, a member of the Yorkshire Academy, forced his way over for the first try followed by Harry Lockett.

Fly half Will Ogden set up Bryan for his second try which gave the Bradford team a lead sufficient to withstand a Stonyhurst fightback to win 21-19.

England fly half Marcus Smith returned to Brighton College to watch the clash against Hampton.

Marcus Smith (left) returned to Brighton College to watch the clash against Hampton

Smith, joined by another old boy in Harlequin colleague James Chisholm, were at the match to support fund-raising efforts in memory of Peter Bellenger, a Brighton College teacher who recently died from MND.

Hampton proved too strong on the pitch by winning 10-0 to continue an impressive start which has also brought success against Seaford College and Campion School.

The Trophy has attracted a record 141 teams and is organised on a merit table basis by SOCS, the schools' system company.