Claires Court beaten by formidable Marlborough College in National Vase Regional Final

Credit: Claires Court School

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Claires Court u15s were beaten by a formidable Marlborough College side in the Regional Final of the National Vase, losing 32-5 in a game that underscored their opponent’s status as serious contenders to win the whole competition.

The home side weren't helped by a couple of uncharacteristic errors in the first half which gifted Marlborough a couple of tries.

Claires Court saw plenty of the ball and had most of the territory in the opening period, but they fell behind early on and that set the tone for a challenging game against a highly skilled and well-drilled Marlborough team who capitalised on every little morsel that was thrown their way with ruthless efficiency.

Claires Court responded well, and had Marlborough pinned inside their own 22 for a period. The forwards worked tirelessly to gain possession, and the backs ran with power and determination, however, Marlborough's ability to withstand that pressure was exceptional.

Time and again, they managed to turn the ball over and thwart Claires Court with critical tackles, stifling the home side's momentum.

Another costly unforced error then gave Marlborough the chance to run clear and score a third try on the stroke of half-time, extending their lead to 17-0.

Had they managed to get the next score, they may have been able to work themselves back into the game. Unfortunately, their dominance of the ball and territory was undone by a series of handling errors and the relentless defensive work of Marlborough, who, when presented with those opportunities were able to punish Claires Court's mistakes.

The home team never wavered in their determination, however, and were rewarded with a hard-earned consolation try midway through the second half. It was Marlborough's day however, and their clinical finishing, allied to their defensive solidity, made them worthy winners.

Reflecting on the game, Claires Court’s coach Mr Bolton praised the team’s performance and spirit:

“We’re incredibly proud of the boys. Marlborough are an outstanding side, and this was probably our first real test of the season,” he said.

“We made a few costly mistakes at key moments, but the heart and fight the boys showed was exceptional. To reach the last 16 of a national competition and compete with schools of this size and calibre is a massive achievement and speaks volumes about the hard work put in by both players this season.”

While the Regional Final didn't go the way Claires Court would have hoped, they've done exceptionally well to make it through to the final and go toe-to-toe with a side of Marlborough's quality.

Simon Carter, the school's deputy head and director of sport, said: “The team has overachieved by mixing it with schools of Marlborough’s size and stature, showcasing their growth and determination throughout the season.

“As the final whistle blew, the Claires Court players left the field with their heads held high, knowing they had given everything against a top-tier opponent.

“Their performance and progress this season will undoubtedly inspire confidence for future campaigns, marking this as a milestone year for the team.”