
After a gruelling season, they celebrated the ultimate triumph by winning Sunday’s final against Norwich 31-17 with two tries for Emily ‘Pickle’ Salter and one apiece for player-of-the-match Hollie Ratcliffe, Maddie Hall and Ruby Wadsley while Charlotte Badger kicked three conversions.
Emotional captain Imi Bradney said, “I am so proud of each and every one of these players. We’ve become a family, we’ve bonded so well, and all the hard work has paid off.”
The previous season, that team had failed to win a single match, but a change of coaches has seen a tremendous change of fortunes.
The under-18 and under-16 girls’ teams also reached the Eastern Counties finals, but both had to settle for second place. The under-18s were beaten 32-7 by Cambridge and the under-16s lost 38-5 against Ipswich.
“We would have liked to bring home more trophies,” said girls’ academy head coach Lee Clarke, “but to have all three of our teams reaching the finals – all against different clubs – speaks volumes for the great work we’re doing at this club. The only way is up!”
Back at Fengate the under-15 boys’ team also celebrated success.
Although they didn’t reach the finals of the Cambridgeshire Cup, they won the Plate section of the competition, beating both Ely and St Neots in a three-way play-off.
Eddie Anderson scored a try, had two conversions in both matches and also added a penalty kick in one of them while Ashton Fletcher, Charlie Brown and Dan Hutton both had tries with the side beating St Neots 17-10 and Ely 14-0.
The under-16 boys were unlucky not to clinch second place in their Cambridgeshire Cup as they lost 19-18 away at Cambridge, having to settle for third place after the host side won with the last kick of the game.
Jacob Milner had a conversion and two penalties, with the tries coming from Elliot Court and Jack Wheatley.
Simon Potter
Peterborough Rugby Club
Festivals Coordinator
Age Grade & Colts Fixture Secretary