Spring has sprung, meaning that it is time for the Northants and District Rugby Alliance's annual cup finals at Franklin's Gardens!
Over the next couple of weeks the best local teams will be heading to the home of the Saints for culmination of the Oceanic Cup, Lewis Shield and Alliance Cup competitions.
The Oceanic Cup, which is for Colts teams in the area, will be contested by Buckingham and Old Northamptonians on Wednesday, April 12th at 6pm. Buckingham are the reigning champions in this competition, having beaten Olney in April 2016.
Old Northamptonians will also feature in the Lewis Shield final later the same evening, taking on Towcestrians at 7:45pm. The Lewis Shield is for adult players who have not previously won either the Lewis Shield or the Alliance Cup, thereby increasing the number of players who have the opportunity to win silverware. It is a return to the Gardens for Towcestrians, who beat Bletchley 12 months ago.
Old Northamptonians and Towcestrians will then return to the Gardens on Wednesday, April 19th for the Alliance Cup final, which will kick off at 7:30pm. Old Northamptonians will have the chance to lift the trophy for a 14th successive season, a year after coming from a 10-point deficit to overcome Bugbrooke.
Meanwhile Long Buckby are closing in on the Paget Cup title, which is awarded to the club in the Northants and District Rugby Alliance that has the highest winning percentage across the course of the season. Long Buckby has won 82 percent of the club's matches, with Old Northamptonians in second place on 75 percent and Northampton Casuals in third on 72 percent.
Saints are now tied on 47 Aviva Premiership league points with Harlequins in the chase for next season’s Champions Cup, and Bath and Leicester are just five points ahead in the battle for the top four. This makes next weekend’s game against Saracens all-the-more important, and every voice will count at Stadium MK.
Tickets remain available from £15, so head to www.tinyurl.com/SAI-SAR-1617 to book now!
