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Stourbridge Under 12s WIN the prestigious Land Rover Cup

Stourbridge Under 12s WIN the prestigious Land Rover Cup

User 137328722 Nov 2017 - 10:49
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Our Under 12s did the Club proud by winning the Land Rover Cup at Sixways - next stop, Twickenham!

Saturday 18th November witnessed 12 of the very strongest U12 teams from across The West Midlands, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Shropshire descend on Worcester Warriors Sixways Stadium to compete in the prestigious 2017/18 Land Rover Cup. At stake was not only the chance to play and compete against some of the finest young rugby players these counties has to offer but also the chance of a trip to Twickenham for the winners to parade the trophy and bask in the glory of their success on Premiership Final Day in May in front of what will be a near 90,000 capacity crowd.

The weather gods once again didn’t help and delivered a wet and cold morning making the conditions difficult at best. Fortunately the Stourbridge lads didn’t let this get in the way and quickly went about putting their rival group 2 opponents to the sword with two superb 4 try to nil wins against tough opposition in Upton and Stroud. Both Stroud and Upton were excellent opposition but were simply blown away by the intensity and handling skills on display by a rampant Stourbridge team.

Finishing as Group winners it meant the Black Country outfit then faced one of the other 3 group winners in the Semi Final. Stow on the Wold were drawn as their opponents and having only every played each other once before in what was a hard fought 0-0 draw two years ago, they must have fancied their chance at progressing to the final themselves. Stourbridge were in no mood to oblige and quickly put paid to that idea by racing in to the lead though ferocious forward work at the breakdown and slick handling from the talented backs. Stow are an extremely capable and well respected U12 team but must have wondered what had hit them. Stourbridge ran out comfortable 3 try to nil winners in a score line that didn’t flatter.

In the other semi-final, Evesham edged out a tenacious Luctonians team 1 try to nil in what was an exciting and hard fought game. Stourbridge now had one final hurdle between them and Cup glory and with the hotly tipped Evesham now their final opponents the tension quickly ramped up. The boys were reminded that whatever the outcome they had played with in the right spirit and that the Club, Coaches and their parents were already proud of them. This was now for them and if they wanted to win then they should go out and do so but in the knowledge they had played superb rugby and had been complimented all the way by the opposition. The coaches reminded the boys every second would count and that we must start fast against a big and powerful Evesham team. They were visibly determined and it quickly became apparent they regardless of the outcome they would give 100% for each other as they had all day. The final itself was played almost completely in the Evesham half with only last ditch defending and some superb tackling from Evesham denying a deserved Stourbridge win. However, with only seconds to go and with Evesham trying once again to the relieve pressure they sent a huge kick down field. It very nearly resulted in what would have been a cruel Evesham winning try but some typically determined last ditch tackling held them up and the full time whistle was blown. Extra time was required and Stourbridge once again started the strongest and within a minute of the kick off, the forwards again won the ball at a ruck for the backs, who with speed and slick running lines finally tore open the Evesham defence to break clear and run in what would become the match winning try. There was still plenty of excitement with a Stourbridge interception being called back for an injury with the try line in sight, this would have made it 2-0 put the game to bed. Evesham were then presented with the ball by the referee and tried in vain to use their powerful players to crash over the Stour line with 5 seconds remaining. They were though met with a Blue and White wall in no mood to falter at the final play. They were held up and with the referee then blowing his whistle for a Stourbridge turn over it was job done. Stourbridge 1 try to nil winners.

Evesham were worthy final opponents and have since complimented a “Superb Stourbridge” team and acknowledged them as deserved winners on their website showing them as true ambassadors of rugby.

We now look forward to what will be a fantastic end of season trip to Twickenham where we plan to travel together by coach to parade the trophy and for the boys to receive the adulation that they undoubtable deserve. A final mention needs to be given to the entire squad and not just those selected to represent SRFC on the day. It’s a squad achievement and one only possible with everyone’s contribution and support through a long and challenging season.

Tom Skinner

#WeAreStour!!!

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