U16 Finals - Match Report: Titans Claim 3rd Place on a Day of Knights
By Tim Foster
On Saturday 29th August 2026 Manchester Titans U16s arrived at the National Finals in a soggy Stafford, already in the knowledge that they had surpassed their efforts of 2025 when they won the Plate Final, finishing in 5th place. Having gone unbeaten throughout the 2026 regular season (7-0-1) and winning both games in the Northern Playoff Tournament they were in the top four as #1 seed from the North, paired with Rushmoor Knights (#2 seed from the south) in the National semi-finals. The other semi-final saw Solent Seahawks take on Yorkshire Academy Assassins.
Prior to the main event two more Knights, those of Edinburgh Napier and Northants, went head-to-head, and Birmingham Lions took on Kent Exiles. The Plate final was won by Edinburgh Napier Knights, beating Kent Exiles, with Northants beating Birmingham in the Plate 3rd play game.
Titans vs Knight, 29 August 2026. Photo by Michael Davies
The Rushmoor supporters were loud throughout, but the family and friends of the Titans gave as good as they got. In U16s football the attacking side begin from their own 5-yard line and have 4 downs in the first set to get beyond halfway and then another four to attempt a score. On the field Rushmoor were strong from the off, and with the QB taking the snap under the Centre, he was able to block and create gaps for their running back speedsters in their first set of downs. This tactic created five first half rushing touchdowns. The Titans defence were able to prevent any extra points, but on offence gave up two safeties. At 0-28 Titans offence started to click and receivers were almost found deep on a couple of occasions. After breaking halfway Titans converted in the redzone but couldn’t add the extra point. The half ended 6-34.
Halftime stirred the Titans and after shared safeties Rushmoor found another running lane for a score, but Titans were forcing strong defence from their opponents and were matching them with their own. Titans forced a fumble and recovered the ball and a looped pass found its recipient in the endzone and a good extra point try saw a final score of 15-43 (the second half drawn 9-9).
QB #12 in a wet and windy Stafford. Photo by Michael Davies.
This meant Titans were to face off in the 3rd Place game against Yorkshire Academy Assassins who were well beaten by Solent Seahawks.
Titans controlled field position and play with excellent and organised defence, forcing several 4-and-outs. A similar TD to the final one against Rushmoor took us to the half leading 6-0. This was repeated at the start of the second half, but again the extra point was unsuccessful. Yorkshire attempted a long down field pass and although Titans had great coverage the receiver was able to bounce clear in contact and run in for a TD. Titans defended the extra point try and were now rotating through their squad.
Inside the last minute Yorkshire tried another downfield attempt, but the coverage of Titans was alive to the threat and picked for a run in return. The final score was 18-6 and our Manchester Titans took the 3rd place accolade, and in four halves of National Championship football had a 2-1-1 record.
3rd place for our young Titans. Photo by Sam Lowthion.
Tribute to the players, coaches, support staff, and parents for such a fantastic season. It was great to see that Charlie Evans was given his chance to cut his teeth as a coach, and great credit to the more senior coaches for giving him his space and voice in order to learn.
As the game ended everyone was able to watch the final stages of the Rushmoor-Solent Final. Tied going into the final play of the game it was apt that Rushmoor found that final burst of power to take the #1 spot and make it a Day of Knights - our congratulations to Rushmoor and Edinburgh Napier.
Interested in joining our U16s team for 2027? Fill out this form or get in touch on our youth Instagram page @manchestertitansyouth.