Guiry's late score clinches under-17 National Cup crown

Fergus Guiry's last-minute score ensured Worthing Rugby Club's under-17 side became National Cup winners on Sunday.
Worthing Rugby Club's under-17 team celebrate winning the National CupWorthing Rugby Club's under-17 team celebrate winning the National Cup
Worthing Rugby Club's under-17 team celebrate winning the National Cup

Guiry proved to be the hero as his late converted try fired Worthing to a 20-13 final win over York at The AJ Bell Stadium, home of Sale Sharks.

It looked as though the game would be heading into overtime with the teams tied at 13 each.

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However, Guiry proved to be Worthing’s success story with his late effort.

Worthing’s under-17 head coach Jack Roberts felt a much-improved second half showing was key to his side’s win.

He told www.englandrugby.com: “We always had confidence in ourselves that, if we could keep the ball, we would be able to put enough tempo on it to win it.

“It was something we talked about at half-time and said if we didn’t learn lessons in the second half then this game would have got away from us, but the boys resolved it and it was a great moment at the end.”

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York raced into an early 10-0 lead courtesy of Thomas Woffendin’s converted try and Sam Elliott’s penalty.

Worthing clawed themselves back into the contest with Jack Forrest’s converted try ensuring they trailed by just three points at the interval.

Marcus Hendry kicked over two three-pointers early in the second half to give Worthing the lead for the first time.

But to York’s credit a penalty of their own went over the posts to level the score at 13-13 with time running out.

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Worthing were not to be denied National Cup success, though, with Guiry becoming the match-winner.

A fine move was rounded off with Guiry going over in the right corner to ensure Worthing were crowned this year’s under-17 National Cup winners.

York head coach Paddy Stephens praised the standard of rugby served up in the final.

He told www.englandrugby.com: “It was a great game.

“There were two good sides and in the end they converted their last chance in the last minute, which was a wonderful try.”

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