Moral was high leading into the final round with St. Albans finally being able to field a full strength team with no senior players away due to other commitments.

First match of the day was against Warwick Touch Rugby. An old rival of St. Albans who used to helped us develop by playing against them whilst we developed last year. St. Albans started strong taking the game into their hands and crafting a 3-1 lead. The second half showed that St. Albans were very excited by the prospect of performing well. This showed as they tried some more expansive and complex play resulting in a few errors and a few rewards. The match finished 6-3 a strong start.

The second game was against a team sent in by the hosts Manchester. The Turbo Chargers were a fairly youthful team and St. Albans struggled to push through them on fitness alone. Staunch defence by St. Albans kept the turbo chargers to just one score during the 25 mins. Managing to cross the line 3 times they took the game 3-1 and a boost to their confidence.

Third game of the day St. Albans faced Orell St James. Fielding a team that had several players who competed in the National Touch series championship St. Albans conceded 4 times. However taking energy from their earlier wins and strong play from all St. Albans scored 7. Finishing the game with a strong 3 point lead out of pool play.

The cup quarter final against Northampton Coys was played in torrential rain. Whilst a summer sport the previous three games had drizzle and showers as is to be excepted in the UK. St. Albans didn’t let any of this fault their play defending clinically they won their 4th game of the day 5 to 0.

Making the cup semi final meant that St. Albans faced the second placed Cheltenham Touch Rugby having won 2 of the last 4 rounds. A tough game ensued in now clearing conditions with scores going back and forth both teams looking to prove themselves. St. Albans starting strong but losing focus and conceding several times 5 minutes either side of half time. A tight game with the final score being 8-6 to St. Albans who move through to the final.

The final was to be against Yorkshire Thorns Touch Rugby who were placed 1st having won the other two rounds of the tournament series. Having previously faced them in the cup final of the third round and narrowly losing out 7-8 St. Albans were relishing this opportunity. Yorkshire were looking to cement their position at the top and win one final round. Yorkshire scored off their first possession starting very strong off their tap off. However St. Albans struck back immediately off their first possession. 1-1 in the first two minutes. An arm wrestle ensued with both teams going back and forth and struggle to penetrate the others defence. Half time came around with the scores locked at 2-2. Both teams scored again after half time with the arm wrestle continuing. Both teams defending stalwartly with a lot of passion. The break in the deadlock came when St. Albans oldest but most recent recruit Mark Carlyon scored. His first in several St. Albans tournaments and easily the most deserved and celebrated of the season. This turned out to be the final score of the game ending 4-3 to St. Albans. Having developed a very friendly rivalry it was a pleasure for St. Albans to win the cup final and have Yorkshire Thorns still take the win for the season!