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Our under 19 squad, the South East Legion, travelled to Northampton on Saturday for their final league games of 2026 with clear goals in mind. With the second straight division title secured, the next challenge was to finish the regular season unbeaten and chase the #1 seed in the National Finals this August. But it wasn’t going to be easy. A 7 a.m. start for our coach journey meant very early mornings for everyone and we knew we would be travelling under-strength with ten members of our squad either away on holidays or otherwise unavailable. Added to which the weather forecast was for a hot, humid day with temperatures on the 4G surface in Northampton reaching 30°C.

London Warriors vs South East Legion

Unfortunately for us and, indeed, for our opponents we were informed in the run-up to the game that the London Warriors would not be travelling and had forfeited their match. While that moved us to 7-0, we never want to win games by forfeit. We wanted to test ourselves against London once again after our win at the last tournament. Moreover, if we had won against the Warriors on the field, we would have had the chance to improve our points difference given that will be so crucial in deciding the first seed nationally.

There was nothing to do but accept the Legion were being awarded a 1-0 walkover victory and wait for our opportunity to play after our hosts, the Northants Knights, had played the first game of the day against the Wembley Stallions.

South East Legion vs Wembley Stallions

Wembley had a clear goal at the start of the day. One win from their two games would have put them in a good position to secure the fourth and final playoff spot behind the three division champions around the country. Two wins would have put them in an unassailable position. But after losing to Northants in the first game (see below), the Stallions were definitely motivated to get that win they needed against the Legion and certainly played us hard in the early exchanges.

QB Tye led the offense onto the field and things started well. A mix of runs and pass completions with RB Harvey to the fore took the ball to the Stallions three yard line, but a controversial call on second down ended the drive. With Harvey reaching for the endzone, his hand holding the ball hit the ground and the ball popped loose. The Stallions recovered the fumble and the volunteer officiating crew gave the Stallions the first down.

With the defense keeping Wembley in check on offense, the first half proved to be a very tight affair. The Legion offense moved the ball well on their second drive, just as on the first, but on 4th down, a pass from Tye to Luke down the left sideline came up just a yard short of the goal-line. Then the third drive ended at the Wembley two yard line with an incomplete pass! We just couldn’t get it over the line.

Not for the first time this year, the Legion defense came up with a big play to break the deadlock. With our diminished numbers, rookie LB Dylan was getting increased playing time and he made the most of it. Coming off the edge, he reached the QB just ahead of Cass coming from the other side and the two of them sacked the Stallions passer for the safety and a 2-0 lead.

Neither side could get much going before half-time and so at 2-0, it was all still to play for and the Stallions still had that chance to secure a playoff spot in the second half.

After a Stallions four and out, on the Legion’s first drive of the second half things took a decisive turn. On the first play from our own five, rookie RB Ben took an inside handoff found a crease and steamed his way downfield from 45 yards for the touchdown. The extra point failed but Legion led 8-0. It wasn’t long before the offense was back around the Stallions goal-line. Cornerback Mark grabbed an interception and set up the offense at the two yard line. Tye found Luke in the endzone for the touchdown and Kris’ extra point made it 15-0.

The Legion offense took the ball again and it was soon 17-0 after Luan trapped one of the Stallion RBs in his own endzone off a backward pass for the safety, and with Ben and Kris handling the running duties the offense made its way to the three yard line. Luke grabbed his second touchdown of the day on another short pass from Tye. Harvey’s extra point made it 24-0.

With the offense now finishing drives, it was the defense’s turn to score a touchdown. Defensive captain Sol, who was outstanding throughout, grabbed his third interception of the day and ran it back all the way for the touchdown; his third score of the season. The extra point attempt failed but the score was now 30-0 and a running clock was instituted.

With Legion backups getting more time, runningback Kris showed his fantastic speed with a 45 yard run of his own on the next drive to make it 36-0 but the biggest roar of the day was still to come. Team captain Nick was given the chance to play defense and he exploded into the Wembley backfield to make the tackle and force a fumble. Luan was able to fall on the ball for the score, Nick was mobbed and the final result was a 42-0 win for the Legion.

Other games taking place

Northants Knights vs Wembley Stallions

Northants Knights vs London Warriors