Despite finding themselves 10 v 0 down within the first ten minutes at neutral ground Wigton RUFC, Kendal Junior Colts fought back to record a memorable victory over Penrith Junior Colts in the U17 County Cup Final on Sunday.

Humble beginnings:
The squad first met nine years ago, as Kendal Under 9's, when mini and junior rugby was introduced at Kendal RUFC. They have been coached from the start by Dan Stephens and Jez Middleton, both ex-players at the club and whilst the team has lost and gained players along the way, their friendships and team camaraderie has kept them together, especially during the Covid pandemic. The squad exemplifies the RFU core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship, as well as integrity, passion and solidarity. Also worthy of note is that four of our regular (U16) squad members were absent from the cup final, whilst on duty with the Newcastle Falcons Academy - see below. Sunday represents a significant milestone in all these young players' careers so far...

The match:
Eventually running out as 15 v 42 winners, the score line perhaps doesn’t reflect the closeness of the contest and Penrith Colts certainly played their part in what was a great final. With Kendal's tries from Charlie Lowther (2), Connor Lees, Oliver Yarker, Barney Coxon and Luke Atkinson, backed up with a faultless kicking display off the tee from Aaron Stephens (5 conversions) and Barney Coxon converting the final try, the victory really was a true team effort, with some great attacking skills on show and a defence which all players, parents and coaches were extremely proud of. The Man of the match award deservedly went to Charlie Lowther.

Squads merged:
This season, Kendal like many other clubs, merged its Junior and Senior colts to ensure a playing squad that could fulfil league fixtures. During the season, these were mostly Senior U18 Colts fixtures, so a significant number of the squad were 'playing up' an age group. This combined squad finished the 'Senior U18 Colts' Conference season as second top of the table and are still in the Halbro Colts 'Cup' (Senior Plate) competition, with an AWAY quarter final fixture against Preston Grasshoppers on Sunday 27 March.

Family ties:
Four players in the squad were supported by their former Kendal player fathers. There is a 'lads 'n' dads' photo in the album: 220320 PENRITH V KENDAL (JUNIOR COLTS CUP FINAL AT WIGTON RUFC)
L-R Billy Coxon and son Barney, 'Deadly' Dan Stephens and son Aaron, Colin 'Wuster' Wolstenholme and son Patrick and Mike 'Scouse' Kincart and son Robbie. A new generation takes over as the wheel of time turns!

Newcastle Falcons Academy:
As mentioned above, four of our U16 regular Colts squad members were selected to represent Newcastle Falcons Academy at the same time as the Cup Final. The Academy matches took place at the Sale Sharks training ground at Carrington near Manchester. The other teams involved were: Sale Sharks Academy and the Yorkshire Academy. It was an enjoyable and proud day for the lads. The Falcons Academy selects players from Cumbria, Northumberland and County Durham. The lads travel to Newcastle twice a week to train, which is a huge commitment for them and their families. Huge congratulations to all involved!

For ease of location, there is a players photo in the album 220320 PENRITH V KENDAL (JUNIOR COLTS CUP FINAL AT WIGTON RUFC)
L-R Ben O'Halloran, Reuben Dyer, Will Meaden and Reuben Parsons

KRUFC would like to thank Wigton RUFC for hosting the final, together with Cumbria RUFC officials.

#countychampions #kendalrufc #cumbriarufc #kendalcolts