Perse U13s triumph in Northampton Saints Elite Insurance 7s Tournament

Head of History Peter Anderson gives a match report on The Perse U13s win in the Northampton Saints Elite Insurance 7s Tournament. 

The Perse U13 rugby team capped off an outstanding season by winning the Northampton Saints Elite Insurance 7s, mirroring the success of the 2015 and 2016 Perse sides.

The Perse got off to an excellent start with victories over Quinton House 53-0 and a hard-fought victory over Bedford School 21-7. This meant they progressed to the Cup Competition and played the winners of the other pools. Victories over Bredon Hill 24-7 and a superb 19-12 win against a quality Cheltenham College side saw the side qualify for the final.

As in previous years, the final was played inside the stadium at Franklin’s Gardens, the home of Northampton Saints. The Perse came up against Cheltenham College again and the first half was a cagey affair, with neither side scoring a try. In the second half it began to open up and a cross-field kick by Captain Charlie Underwood put winger Henry Porter-Clarke in the clear. He finished superbly to put the team 5-0 up. Cheltenham responded very well and as both sides tired they scored two tries, converting one, to lead 12-5. Yet on the final play of the game, Ollie Rogers was able to latch on to his own through kick and showed brilliant determination and strength to get over the line. This left it to Underwood to level the scores and he nailed his conversion.

Having played two extremely close and outstanding matches, it was agreed by the coaches to share the trophy, which both sets of players were delighted with. It was great to see such mutual respect between the boys and a nice way to finish what had been such an enjoyable day.

The U13 team can look back with enormous pride on what they have achieved this year. Not only did they have a fine season in the Michaelmas Term, but have also won every competition they have entered, being the winners of the Cambridgeshire County Cup, Cambridgeshire Sevens, Berkhamsted Sevens and now the Northampton Saints Sevens.