This Saturday (11th) we have the cup finals taking place at Lichfield RFC. The day starts with the Intermediate Cup and Plate kicking off at 11.30am followed by the Junior Cup and Plate at 1.15pm and finally the Senior Plate at 3pm and the Senior Cup at 3.30pm. All supporters are welcome to see a day of exciting cup rugby. Entry is free and directions can be found here.

 

In the new Senior Plate competition, Aylesford Bulls face DMP Sharks.

Aylesford Bulls kicked off the competition with a disappointing performance at home to Champ North winners Waterloo, losing 7-19.  They then drew 17-17 with their final opposition DMP Sharks when the Cup resumed at the end of the league season. Aylesford followed this up with a win away at Bristol, 24-29, before being handed a walkover by Thurrock in the final round. They finished 4th in their pool and qualified for the plate semi-final against Lichfield. Having narrowly lost in the league at home, Aylesford were keen for the challenge. A positive whole team performance saw them victorious 3-24.

DMP Sharks started their Cup competition with a walkover against Thurrock but beat Bristol at home and claimed a vital losing bonus point against Richmond to claim 3rd place in the pool. Unfortunately their semi-final opposition Worcester were unable to field a team so they made it through to the final where they face Aylesford Bulls for the 4th time this season. The record is won 1, lost 1 drawn 1. Who will come out on top in this match?

The Senior Cup has Wasps making their 2nd appearance in as many years against their London rivals Saracens.

We asked Wasps what their most memorable moments from the Cup have been. “

[we] would probably say the game vs. Trojans for the fact it was the coldest, wettest and muddiest game that most had ever played in! Most probably considered a change in sport!”

“A high would definitely be hearing the final whistle at the end of the Saracens fixture – we’d been defending our line for what felt like forever as the final minutes ticked away but every single player put it 100% and it was a true Wasps team performance to end the game as winners.”

Wasps started their campaign with a 19-20 loss to Lichfield before hitting their stride with wins against Worcester, Camp Hill and Saracens and a walkover against Trojans.

Saracens continued their league form into the Cup clocking big wins against Worcester, Trojans, Camp Hill and a more modest result away in Lichfield. The only blot to their record came in the form of a narrow defeat away to Wasps. In a tight pool, the number of tries scored was the deciding factor as to who reached the semi-finals and Saracens edged past Lichfield for the runner up slot by a single try. An away semi-final against London rivals and current Cup holders, Richmond was waiting after they topped their pool. As expected, this was an intense, physical battle with both teams throwing everything at it.  The home side were leading at the break but a spirited fight back from the visitors in the second half got them back in the race allowing Saracens to edge the victory by a single point, booking them a place in the final. Winger, Zira Handley has impressed throughout the campaign as Saracens leading scorer, including her 46 point contribution in a single match, and will be looking to add to her tally in the final.

 

We wish all the teams the best of luck in their finals!

 

  Senior Cup   Kick off 3.30pm
1 Wasps v Saracens
Senior Plate Kick off 3pm
2 Aylesford Bulls v Darlington Mowden Park

 

  Intermediate Cup   Kick Off 11:30pm
3 Henley v Hove
Intermediate Plate
4 Moseley v Supermarine

 

  Junior Cup   Kick off 1:15pm
5 Gloucester/Hartpury v Kendal
Junior Plate
6 Bideford v York RI