STOVER School U14 boys’ rugby team hosted Newton Abbot College in the semi-final of the South Devon Schools Cup.

Kicking down the slope to start, Stover began well. After five minutes of solid ball retention, they broke down the tough NAC defence. Robey Knight found space out wide, beat his man, and scored under the sticks. NAC responded immediately with a well-executed offload and a try near the corner, levelling the game at 7-7.

From there, Stover enjoyed a dominant 10-minute period. Their intensity in attack led to Robey Knight scoring again with excellent footwork out wide. He accelerated through the tackle to give Stover their second try. Almost immediately from the kick-off, Stover added a third. Jack Luckes and Thomas Liley made strong carries before Henry Patt scooped up the ball from a ruck and sniped around the corner, putting Stover 19-7 up at half-time.

Stover U14 player prepares to deliver a hand-off in their semi-final success
Stover U14 player prepares to deliver a hand-off in their semi-final success (School Facebook)

In the second half, Stover had to work hard up the slope, and NAC capitalized, scoring early to make it 19-12. Stover made costly errors, but 15 minutes into the second half, Stover scored another try. The ball was shifted wide, Adair Conlin broke through, only to be stopped 20 meters from the line. He offloaded while tackled, and Robey Knight gathered the pass. Though halted 5 metres short, Max Fearon supported, powering over to make it 24-12.

NAC responded with two quick tries, bringing the score to 24-22 with just four minutes left. With Stover under immense pressure, Henry Patt’s tackles set the tone, and in the final moments, Sam Bruce forced a fumble, allowing Will Crisp to kick the ball off the pitch. The final whistle went, and Stover won 24-22, securing their place in the final.

Head of School Caroline Ward commented ‘It is with immense pride and joy that I congratulate our U14 Rugby team on their outstanding achievements this season. Reaching the final of the South Devon Schools Cup is a brilliant accomplishment, demonstrating their skill, teamwork, and determination on the field. Full credit to both teams for providing an excellent advert for school rugby’.

Sports Scholarships are available at Stover School. Please apply by 10th January by contacting [email protected].