Northampton Old Scouts win coveted East Midlands u16 CUP.

"Northampton Old Scouts under-16s finish their time playing junior rugby with a fantastic 14-7 victory over favourites Bedford, for the coveted EMMJRA U16 CUP, on Wednesday 2nd May at Rushmere Road. A great finale to what has been an oustanding age group."

Having shared the trophy on a previous occasion, Old Scouts were delighted to be crowned East Midlands champions, taking rugby to the next level in Northampton.
Keith Shurville, presenting the trophies on behalf of the East Midlands said “this is the best game of rugby I have seen for a long time, both teams playing with much skill & passion. We have just watched a game between the best two teams in the East Midlands”.
COACHING STAFF - Rich Martin, Ian Knox, Simon Hunt, Clive Bullivant and Simon Shorthose.

SQUAD - Ross Vernel, Jack Knox, Joe Hunt, Jacob Martin, Tom Bailey, Connor Bullivant, Marcus Stock, Ben Pointer, Olli Furniss, Tom Reading, David O'Rourke(Captain), Ryan Hancock, Alex Roberts, Alex Shorthose, Rich Bishop Bailey, Daniel Stephenson, Ciaran Eeles, Lewis Nevolls, Henry Bambrick, Oley Clarke, Simi Dyer, Tyler Richards, and Toby Howard.

Try Scorers - Connor Bullivant and Tom Bailey
Conversions - 2 x Olli Furniss
Man of the Match – Daniel Stephenson - A difficult selection for the coaches, as every man played his role, the whole squad played as a unit, all of them relentless and determined - they all deserve a credit.

A large crowd gathered for the East Midlands u16 Cup Final at Rushmere Road, for a 7.30pm kick off under floodlights, following weeks of torrential rain the rain held off all day, the pitch had dried and the ducks using it only a few days before had wandered off.

With their successes through the season Bedford, having beaten Northampton Casuals, Old Northamptonians and Kettering to reach the final, it looked an uphill struggle for Old Scouts, who had progressed to the final by winning against Bugbrooke, Huntington and Ampthill, but from the off Old Scouts demonstrated a relentless work ethic, determination and passion, competitive at every phase. The game was on and it was very even between both sides.

Scouts took the early lead through a Connor Bullivant try, instigated by Daniel Stephenson with a nifty pick up from the wing and great passage of handling through the team , setting Bullivant up for a cracking dive in at the corner, with the conversion slotted beautifully by Olli Furniss. A fantastic game was developing as both sides were showing an intense desire to pick up the silverware.

In the second quarter, some strict refereeing saw not one but two Old Scouts yellow carded within a minute of each other.
For 9 long minutes, with Fifteen v Thirteen players, Bedford had the upper hand - but amazing determination from a die hard Scouts squad held them off at every turn, with a counter attack almost sending Old Scouts through for their second try.

7 - 0 at half time - both squads deserved the brief respite -

Old Scouts were on the attack from the start. Winning the ball at the ruck following a surge forward from the back row, some lovely hands down the line and a sublime pop pass from Marcus Stock to send Tom Bailey crashing through Bedford's backs at full tilt, placing the ball under the sticks. Olli Furniss converting once again, Scouts were in an envious 14-0 lead, but Bedford never gave up the challenge, making a number of determined runs through it was only the Old Scouts defensive play that kept them off the score sheet as long as they did.

Perseverance by the Bedford squad eventually saw them through for their first try - which was also converted. Suddenly at 14-7 there was even greater intensity from both teams to win the game.

The last 15 minutes ticked by very slowly, Bedford always threatening from their quick ball and strong attacks, it took a focused and determined Old Scouts to counter every Bedford surge. Scouts too continued to hunt that deciding third try, the forwards, strong throughout, showing their dominance at the end of the game by winning three consecutive scrums against the head and driving Bedford back clean off the ball, but were ultimately held out by an equally strong Bedford defence.

A fantastic game to watch, both squads a credit to their clubs and to East Midlands rugby. With a few missed penalty kicks for Scouts, and a hotly debated disallowed try for Bedford the game could have gone either way.