Huntingdon Staggerers must wish they could face Oundle every week.
Paul Baynes’ band of elder Stags statesman lifted the Hunts & Peterborough Veterans’ Cup last Saturday after a 33-5 drubbing of their Northamptonshire rivals.
Last season they beat the same opponents in the final of the East Midlands Intermediate Vets’ Cup, but the manner of victory was much more convincing this time around.
Oundle boasted a huge squad for the two sides’ latest showpiece clash – staged at Thorney FC – but it was a case of Staggerers’ quality overcoming their rivals’ quantity.
Two fine tries from Matt Day – both accompanied by successful Chris Matthews conversions – gave Staggerers an advantage which was further extended before half-time.
Charlie Cook touched down in the corner after being the beneficiary of a Neil Welsh interception and surge. Matthews again did the honours with his trusty boot.
And any faint hopes of an Oundle fightback were soon quashed by two more Staggerers tries early in the second half.
Welsh and Cook were involved again, along with Neil Moray and player-coach Baynes, as Day completed his hat-trick.
And Welsh then went over himself for the Huntingdon side’s final try after punishing an Oundle spill. Matthews converted again.
A late consolation denied Staggerers a shut-out but did little to dampen their delight after claiming trophy success for the second season running.
The front five of Robbie Attewell, Ben Tranter, Mike Blanchard, Matt Griggs and David Holme earned praise for providing the platform for a dominant display.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here