Cup Final Man of the Match Rory Akers celebrates with the LV= girls.
Plate Final
Tring 23 High Wycombe 13
(Comet ‘Man of the Match’ No.10 Richard Beeney –Tring)
Cup Final
Bishops Stortford 14 Harrow 39
(Comet ‘Man of the Match’ No.13 Rory Akers – Harrow)
Sunday afternoon witnessed the LV= Under 18 Finals Day at Hitchin RFC. With finals in both the Plate and the Cup competition being played on the same afternoon some of the best Under 18 talent regionally was on show. To add pressure to the players the game was watched by England U20’s coach Nick Walshe who presented the Comet ‘Man of the Match’ for each game.
The opening game was the Plate Final between Tring and High Wycombe. A strong start from Tring took them into an early 12 – 0 lead. The continued pressure on the Wycombe line suggested that Tring were going to run away with the game. However after the slow start Wycombe began to build their own momentum scoring a well worked try just before halftime. The second half began with both sides looking to move the ball wide but it was Tring and especially their Comet ‘Man of the Match’ flyhalf Richard Beeney who were getting the upper hand. An exchange of tries moved the score to 18 – 13 for Tring with 5 minutes to go. The game was sealed by a final try from wing James Gilchrist.
As the Plate finalists left the field it was time for the Cup Final between Bishops Stortford and Harrow. With both teams fielding junior England players the scene was set for another feast of rugby. Harrow started the stronger of the 2 with eventual Man of the Match Harrow centre Rory Akers splitting the midfield defence to cruise over and open the scoring. Harrow continued to control the game with London Divisional fly half Thorogood controlling open play and switching play from side to side. Stortford rallied either side of halftime to score twice. But it was never going to halt Harrow who were now in full stride. Two quick tries from Harrow midway through the second half finished off the game. Akers scored the first of these, his second of the match, and then put wing James Pickett away for his opening try. A final charge from Harrow left the score at 39 -14.
Captain Harry Thorogood celebrates Harrows LV= Under Cup final win.