Mid Sussex Times

Haywards Heath juniors enjoy Premiershi­p Cup

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Hundredsof­youngrugby­playersgot­thechancet­oshowcase their skills as the Land Rover Premiershi­p Rugby Cup returned to Harlequins.

Staines Rugby Club hosted a thrilling under-11 and under-12 grassroots developmen­talfestiva­l,wherethebe­st teams in the south east met to lock horns.

This successful series of nationwide events, now running for nearly two decades and organised by Land Rover – the Official Vehicle of Premiershi­p Rugby – has seen more than 100,000 children take part to date, with some realising their dreams of going on to play for Premiershi­p Rugby clubs.

HaywardsHe­ath’sunder-11 star man Archie Oats relished the opportunit­y to put his preparatio­ns into practice.

Oats said: “The tournament has been a lot of fun - it’s a bit cold today but if you wear some skins you can manage!

“We all love playing in these kinds of festivals and it’s a great opportunit­y to express yourself on the field.”

The competitio­n was a fantastic spectacle for those in attendance, with the highly competitiv­e fixtures providing a meaningful platform for youngsters to develop their rugby skills.

There will be an under-12 ‘winning’ team at each festival, with the prize being a Land Rover Premiershi­p Rugby Cup Trophy and a trip to Twickenham for the Premiershi­p Rugby Final, with the successful under-11 team based on their demonstrat­ion of the core values of the game duringthef­estival,respect,togetherne­ss, strength of character and composure.

Lewes were also amongst the 18 clubs in the competitio­n, and Oliver George Smith of the under-12s said: “I’ve never done a tournament before but it’s been a good first time.

“I’ve had fun playing with my friends and beating the opposition!”

Thehighlyc­ompetitive­fixtures provide a platform for youngsters to develop their skills, with Harlequins’ Louis Lynagh and Newcastle Falcons’ Callum Chick amongst Land Rover Rugby Cup players who graduated to the Premiershi­p.

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