Skipper Paul Baynes paid tribute to a ‘great bunch of blokes’ after Huntingdon Staggerers lifted the East Midlands Intermediate Vets Cup at the first attempt.

The evergreen aces beat Oundle 24-12 in a final played in sweltering conditions at Stewart & Lloyds, in Corby, last Saturday.

Tries from Spencer Burgess and man-of-the-match Neil Welsh in the final 20 minutes secured victory for Staggerers after the sides had shared four touch-downs in the opening period.

Baynes said: “This is the first season for a number of years in which the Staggerers have played regularly.

“To win this trophy at the first time of asking is a fantastic achievement.”

Matt Stenson cruised through a big gap in the Oundle defence to grab the first try under the posts and Chris Matthews added the conversion.

Oundle hit back with a well-worked, but unconverted, score of their own before Jamie Rice darted in to edge Stags further clear.

Oundle again came up with a response and a converted try brought them level before the break. But the late scores from Burgess and Welsh ensured Staggerers prevailed.