Junior sides from Melton RFC staged the second running of their Development Cup, a competition designed to give the least experienced or novice players from around the county a taste of competitive rugby.

Their appetites were whetted by the guest appearance of the Guinness Premiership Trophy, loaned for the day by the Leicester Tigers who won the domestic league title last season.

Thanks to trophy sponsorship from Soar Valley Timber, the support of the attending clubs and parents the club raised £380 for the Matt Hampson Appeal.

The event was supported by a barbecue and the sale of energy drinks, the proceeds of which were donated to the club.

Proceeds from the club's two presentation evenings later this month will also go to the appeal.

The club is inviting the public to come along to the two awards nights for their minis and juniors sections which take place on Friday and Saturday, May 10 and 11 respectively.

Matt Hampson will be attending with a Tigers' player on the Friday and a sponsored raffle prize worth £150 will also raise money for his appeal. The junior night will also have a £150 sponsored raffle and a pig donated for the hog roast.

On Sunday, May 18, the club is staging a fundraising touch rugby tournament for parents and coaches. Teams from each age group are to enter, with at least one woman per team on the field at all times, but no children.

There will also be a barbecue and bar and spectators are welcome.

The club want to thank their sponsors Soar Valley Timber, Marcus Twidale, DLS Plastics, Andrew King, Stygate Farms, Crown and Plough, Long Clawson, and Melton RFC senior section for their support with the fundraising.

It completes a great season where the Under 16s became county champions, and the Under 17s reached a national final.

The club also has secured a new club sponsorship deal with Rotherhill Developments.

The junior section will start the sponsorship next season and the mini section will follow the season after.

The committee want to thank all parents and the 300 children who play each weekend, for their support this season which has seen the clubhouse extension finished and a new permanent shop launched. The new kitchen and bar will be ready for next season.

The club's annual meeting will be held at their clubhouse on May 19 at 8pm.

lThe Development Cup saw Melton Under 9s drawn against Market Harborough, Stewarts and Lloyds, of Corby, and Oakham.

Melton showed good teamwork and were brave and determined throughout.

They saved their best performance until the final match when they controlled the mauls.

But the stronger visiting teams outshone the hosts, Melton going down 40-10 to Market Harborough, 30-5 to Lloyds and finally 15-5 to Oakham.

A lack of commitment in the tackles allowed the visitors to capitalise and though Melton performed well in the rucks, turnovers were conceded.

Oscar Bacon and Alex Garton performed well in defence, while Billy Ellingworth and Tom Evans made determined drives forward.

Ellingworth scored in all three matches to complete a hat-trick, while Evans also scored against Market Harborough.

Melton: O. Bacon, H. Bellamy, J. Eggleston, K. Earney, B. Ellingworth, T. Evans, A. Garton, A. King, C. McNally-Reilly, A Riley, K. Ruddle, R. Stapleton, J. Stewart.