Stowmarket u12s travelled with a squad of 17 to Northampton on Sunday 18th, to compete in the defender rising stars cup in the morning, with most of the players staying in the afternoon to watch Northampton saints v Cardiff in the champions cup.

They endured a day filled with every weather possible. But the boys didn't let that put a dampener on their incredible team spirit and resilience.

Playing new opposition, and a familiar foe, every game was played with intensity and determination. Some of the tackles being put in, and tries being scored, that the senior players would have been proud of!

Results from the day,

Stowmarket 1 v Kettering 0

Stowmarket 3 v Bugbrooke 3

Stowmarket 2 v Rushden and Higham 1

Stowmarket 0 v Southwold 1

Stowmarket 0 v Ampthill 6

Stowmarket finished a very respectable 10th out of 18 teams.

Stowmarket started the day against new opposition, with the boys knowing a trip to Twickenham was a stake for the winner of the tournament, they defended like they never had before, with every player stepping up when it mattered. The game was won with only a few minutes left, with Bobby receiving the ball on the half way line, he ran in the try, leaving the defence trailing behind. Score 1-0

Next up, Bugbrooke, a very well drilled team, who matched us all over the park, with each team trading tries, our 2 wingers in Horace and zach managed to get stowmarkets first 2 with both showing amazing footwork and pace, and Thomas b getting stow the valuable draw with an amazing try from fullback, gathering the ball from a clearance kick near his own try line, he showed pace and power to break through the defence to score the try. Score 3-3

With those results stowmarket had done all they could to progress into the cup competition. But with Bugbrooke winning 6-0 in the final game in the group stage against Kettering. We were level on points, but with Bugbrooke scoring a few more tries, they had to settle for the plate competition.

Another new opposition came in the plate group stage in Rushden and Higham, with players again putting their bodies on the line, Horace again being the player to keep Stowmarket in the game, bagging both of their tries. Score 2-1

The final group game was a familiar rival, Southwold, there's been some battles between these 2 sides over the seasons, with every game being a hard fought, competitive game, and this was no different, with both sides knowing a place in the plate final was at stake, they both attacked with intent, but defended even harder, Stowmarket knew from the start this would be a hard game, with Harry and Leo being on both sides of some massive tackles straight from kick off.

Full time came, 0-0, onto sudden death. And the game didn't change, big hit after big hit, until after 5 minutes of added time, the ref controversially awarded Southwold the winning try in the corner, with all the stowmarket players and supporters convinced they had been tackled into touch. Score 0-1

With emotions still high, and minimal time between our final game, stowmarket went into their last game Vs Ampthill, the best attacking side they had played all day. With their heads still down, Ampthill pulled a few tries ahead in the 1st couple of minutes.

Stow managed to regroup but by then the damage had already been done. With Ampthill finishing the game as 6-0 winners.

Overall a day to be proud of, many memories made, and some amazing rugby played.

Coach Scott wasn't able to pick a player of the day, so passed it onto the parents to pick, with 9 different players getting a vote, and 2 players as joint winners with 2 votes.

Horace and Harry won it this week, with both playing always working hard when called upon, and considering there the 2 smallest on the team, they both set the standard in defence, continuously putting in massive tackles.