St Swithun’s proved to be the comeback queens as they came from behind to defeat Claremont Fan Court and take home the Under 15 National Schools Championship.

It definitely didn’t rain on St Swithun’s parade on Monday in Hampshire as they overturned a 0-2 deficit in the final to win 3-2 and be crowned champions.

After finishing top of their pool on the toss of a coin (they finished with an identical record to Priestnall School), they capitalised on that good fortune by sweeping through the knockout stages to set up a final against Claremont.

Comfortable wins against Walthamstow Hall in the Last 16 (3-1) and Moreton Hall in the QF (6-3), took them through to a tense semi final against Caterham which was won by a late Swithun’s goal to break the tie and take them through 3-2.

Claremont Fan Court meanwhile produced an impressive run to the final, finishing their pool in 1st place and unbeaten, then brushing aside Habs Girls 7-1 in the Last 16.

It was then in the quarter final that they were delivered their toughest test of the day to that point, facing the also undefeated Priestnall.

The game finished 3-3 in normal time, before Claremont were able to snatch the golden goal in overtime to advance to the final four.

They then carried that momentum into the semi final, with a strong 4-0 win against Guildford High to set up the Championship game.

Again, it looked like Claremont would ride the wave all the way to the title, taking an early 2-0 lead and looking in command.

However, St Swithun’s rallied; and one goal just before half-time was soon followed by another after the break tieing up the scores.

The momentum proved to be firmly with St Swithun’s and they completed the turnaround soon after, going ahead for the first time and never relinquishing their advantage to become National Schools Under 15A Champions for 2024.

Watch the U15A Championship final in full

Full Monday Winners

Under 15 Championship - St Swithun’s 3-2 Claremont Fan Court
Under 15 Division 1 - St Albans 4-3 Marlborough College
Under 19C Championship - St Catherine’s 4-1 Berkhamsted