The sun appeared after plenty of the wet stuff and the common breeze was blowing as St Neots began their Cambs Cup campaign against Peterborough. Rob was still lying on the Wellingborough pitch waiting for an ambulance and captain Noah was designated waterboy as he recovered from waiting for Rob to get up. The boys were told, in no uncertain terms, that Peterborough were here to avenge their previous defeats and that they were a vastly improved outfit.

Saints kicked off towards the Paxton end. Within 2 minutes they were within the 22m when a succession of infringements from Peterborough led to a kickable penalty – Luca stepped up but the kick drifted wide on the strong breeze. St Neots returned instantly and Josh stepped up to put the first points on the board. Peterborough responded with passion and strength – turning ball over and driving up with a strong pack – which Saints unable to counter. They were well rewarded with a try and the lead. Saints restarted and a Charlie snaffle was quickly offloaded to Josh who sped away and finished under the posts. A simple conversion by Luca followed. Hagen entered the fray and was quickly making tackle breaking runs. He offloaded to a rampant Jay who sped in to score the second try with after from Luca. The game was a keenly contested affair with Saints conceding silly penalties and Peterborough demonstrating their strength in the contact taking control of the counter ruck and then the scrum.

HALF TIME Saints 17- Peterborough 7

Saints needed to up their game and manage the game better. Zak and Dan A began to break the gain line with some excellent work but the first try of the half came from Billy as he was fed from a quick tap and galloped over half the length of the pitch to score. Another lung busting run followed immediately but was repelled at the last moment. Saints were in control but unable to deliver as Peterborough continued to disrupt and turnover ball. Twenty minutes in a penalty saw Luca kick to the corner and from the subsequent line out Captain for the day, Jay, stormed over. Luca with increasing difficulty popped over again.

Jay by now was performing miracles with his turnovers and runs from deep. The boy was immense especially when Peterborough looked certain to score only for Jay to appear with the ball yet again. Eventually the Peterborough power told as they boshed over for a second try. Peterborough were not finished and looked to add to their score – however the game finished with the try of the match as a penalty kick to touch by Peterborough was kept in by Cam who passed to Ben H who then scythed through the Peterborough defence, offloaded to Billy who fed Joe who finished in the corner – a 60 metre miracle return which was capped off by a touchline conversion by Luca.

A gritty win – Peterborough are a team going places – man of the match to Jay

FULL TIME St Neots 38 v Peterborough 12

Scorers: Tries Josh, Jay (x2), Billy, Joe
Conversions: Luca (x5)
Penalty: Josh
Team: Dan A, Alec, Jamie, Nathaniel, Ethan, Charlie, Jay, George, Luca, Cam, Joe, Billy, Josh, Ben, Zak, Sam G, Ed, Jack M, Nathan, Hagen, Alfie, James