Paired with two of several invitational sides in Group B - namely the Panthers and Scorpions - the Saints squad got off to the best possible start by defeating the Panthers 43-0. Unfortunately this result was not repeated against the Scorpions, who even at this early stage looked to be the team to beat in the tournament. The 27-0 defeat to them left Saints in second place in the group and a quarter final against Cambridge University, winners of Group D.

They too had looked impressive in their group, but the Saints scored three tries to one in the first half through David Smith, John Brake and Will Harries to give them a commanding 17-5 lead. Cambridge didn't manage to add to their tally after the break as the Northampton youngsters took complete control, scoring three more tries in the process. Brake and Harries added another score a-piece, sandwiching a Grant Anderson try.

The semi-final paired the Saints with London Irish, a match which was an altogether closer affair. Nevertheless the Saints rarely looked like losing control and led 14-0 at the break thanks to tries from Smith and Anderson. Adam Barnard completed the scoring in the second half and Saints progressed through to the final as 21-0 victors.

Group B winners the Scorpions had been favourites to be the opponents, but they were soundly beaten by the Samurai, including former Saint Ben Jones. Common consensus had Saints as the underdogs, and as the Samurai raced into the lead this opinion looked justified.

However Saints hit back twice through Ian Vass and Anderson to lead 14-12 at the break. And Anderson's second try, and another for Smith, took the reigning champions well clear of their more experienced opponents, making the last-minute Samurai score a mere consolation and the final score Saints 28, Samurai 19.

"I'm incredibly proud of the boys," said Senior Academy coach Grant Seely. "They did the shirt and the club proud for the second year running, as they have done all season. The squad got better and better as the tournament progressed and winning it was fantastic reward for all the hard work they've put in. It was also great to see so many Saints fans in the crowd, as well as friends and family."

Saints Squad - John Brake (capt), Grant Anderson, Adam Barnard, Charlie Beech, Matt Burke, Joe Gray, Will Harries, Dan Lavery, Rob Milligan, David Smith, Ian Vass, Beyers Visagie.