Desborough triumph in Dave Course memorial match despite Court fightback

Desborough College’s 1st XV completed an unbeaten season against local opposition when they beat Claires Court 1st XV 22-10 in the annual Dave Course memorial match held at Maidenhead RFC's Braywick ground.

The clash began with Desborough’s well drilled lineout and powerful tight game earning them two early tries in the first half while Claires Court managed just a penalty to trail 12-3 at half-time.

The second half began with another stolen lineout from Desborough leading to them driving the ball over the line again from short range to make the score 17-3.

Claires Court stormed back into the game and scored a try of their own with 10 minutes remaining to bring themselves to within a converted try of levelling the game.

Desborough’s defence was once again exemplary under pressure as they weathered the Claires Court onslaught and with moments left, Desborough crashed over from short range to complete the win.

Two of Desborough’s tries came from tighhead prop Ahmad Hussain, while Reece Long and Alex Gloster notched one each.

Claires Court’s only touchdown came from Chris Rayer, while Joe Thomas kicked the extra points.

The victory on Wednesday of last week ended a successful season for Desborough who have now won the annual trophy five times to Claires Court’s four.

Before the senior match, the two schools’ under-15s teams played against each other with Claires Court comfortably winning 39-0.

The matches between the teams were organised to commerate the life of Dave Course who died in 2007.

Course was a deputy head at Claires Court and was educated at Desborough.