Northampton School for Boys fell short of producing another stunning cup comeback as they were beaten 27-17 by Dulwich College in the Under-18 Daily Mail Cup final at Twickenham.
But NSB’s never-say-die attitude, which earned them a place in Saturday’s showpiece final, wasn’t enough as holders Dulwich retained their title.
Several times in the game NSB looked to be heading to defeat, but two tries from Oliver Hartfield and some precise kicking from the inspirational Conor Bullivant kept NSB in with a shout until the final whistle.
NSB can have no shame in losing to a classy and robust Dulwich side, brimming with forward power.
Head coach Mark Lee told his team to focus on the game and not the occasion in the build-up to the tie and that certainly seemed the case in the opening stages.
But it was Dulwich, backed by a vociferous following, who drew first blood. Dom Fraser missed an early penalty but made amends from a similar position minutes later.
Dulwich went from strength to strength, their ferocious pack driving NSB back time and time again, eventually leading to a try from Hector McKimm. Fraser coolly converted and Dulwich looked in firm control.
NSB showed so much fighting spirit on the road to the final and that spirit was again clear to see at Twickenham.
They produced the perfect response, inspired by some incisive play from the likes of Bullivant and Rotimi Segun.
Sustained pressure eventually led to a bad Dulwich mistake close to the try line, flanker Hartfield was in the right place to swoop for the ball, cross the line and send the NSB supporters ballistic.
Bullivant added the extras to bring the Northampton side back to within three points.
And just as resurgent NSB looked to be heading to half-time with a three-point deficit, back came Dulwich as a clever chip cut through NSB and Baba Ajisebutu pounced to score in the corner.
Fraser converted to restore their 10-point lead.
NSB fought back again and early second-half pressure led to a successful penalty from Bullivant just inside the Dulwich 22.
Dulwich’s response was immediate. Dulwich’s catch-and-drive was working to good effect despite some heroic NSB defending and sheer forward power led to a second try from Hector McKimm.
Fraser had no problem kicking the conversion and NSB had a mountain to climb.
NSB came storming back and gave themselves a lifeline when Hartfield stormed over for his second try. A crucial conversion from Bullivant brought NSB to within seven points and another Northampton comeback looked on the cards.
But another Fraser penalty, who was having a near faultless afternoon, widened that gap to 10 with 10 minutes left on the clock.
NSB refused to lay down and laid seige to the Dulwich line but to no avail as the champions, despite a late sin-binning, held on to take the title again.
Dulwich: Neden; Akinlotan, Charnley, Fraser, Ajisebutu; Parsons, Anthony; Bano, Mostyn, Reason, Stuff, McKimm, Maddison, Wroe Wright (capt), Ibuanokpe.
Subs: Fernandes, Adebayo, Winter, Olaleye, John, Murray, Henderson
Tries: McKimm 2, Ajisebutu
Cons: Fraser 3
Pens: Fraser 2
Northampton School for Boys: Bucker; Jeffcoate, Spittle (capt), Segun, Fitton-Swan; Bullivant, Sanderson; Ibrahim, Cort, Dancer, O’Rourke, Galliano, Hammersley, Hartfield, Conner
Subs: Jenkins, Martin, Staniford, Forskitt, Eeles, Isaac, Mackay
Tries: Hartfield 2
Conversions: Bullivant 2
Pen: Bullivant
Referee: Marcus Caton