St Neots III 34 Hitchin III 15 Deuxieme Plate Cup Final OUTGOING St Neots Rugby Club chairman Tim Russell signed off in style with a try as the thirds completed the double. Having clinched the league earlier in April, St Neots took a healthy following of

St Neots III 34 Hitchin III 15

Deuxieme Plate Cup Final

OUTGOING St Neots Rugby Club chairman Tim Russell signed off in style with a try as the thirds completed the double.

Having clinched the league earlier in April, St Neots took a healthy following of supporters to Upper Clacton RFC for this final - and made light work of their opponents.

Having beaten Biggleswade and Harlow in earlier rounds, St Neots should have been full of confidence but showed obvious signs of nerves as they made a faltering start.

Hitchin took full advantage by scoring two early tries, both unconverted, but St Neots pulled a try back before half-time through Mick Muston to leave the half-time score at 10-5.

Many of the games this season have followed a similar pattern and it has been captain Dave Medlow who has developed the knack of giving an inspired half-time team talk, which again proved the case at Clacton.

Fresh legs were introduced after the break and within minutes it was clear that the Hitchin side were struggling to compete against a buoyed-up Saints side.

Tries followed with Russell delivering the first, followed by two by star man Tommy McConnell.

Finally, Lewis Hall, part of a father and son duo on the pitch, delivered the final blow with a try in addition to his four conversions.

This win, coupled with topping the league, has seen the most successful season for the club in many years and one that was celebrated late into Saturday night.

Paul Baker, one of the senior players for St Neots III, said: "The day was a great event in the club's history and one that proved that the game is alive and well at The Common.

"The support during the year has been very encouraging and the turnout at matches and the tournament finals day was much appreciated by the players."

Meanwhile, St Neots II lost out in their Premiere Plate Competition final against Bishop's Stortford IV at the same venue, going down 23-12.

The tries came from Adam Peel and Ross Wooding, plus a conversion by captain Steve Gibson in his last game before retiring to concentrate on coaching.

The season starts again in September so all members and budding rugby players will be welcomed to the 2008/09 season to continue the success.