Melton RFC wins inaugural Leics RFU Under 20s tournament

Christian Jeremiah breaks away for Melton RFC in their match with Leicester Forest at the Leics Under 20s Tens Tournament EMN-160707-111726002

The club hosted a 10-a-side under 20s competition, organised by the Leicestershire RFU to provide a link between Colts (under 18s) rugby and the senior ranks.

The idea is to allow players who are away at university or college to come back and play with their age group mates and not lose contact with their home club or rugby as a whole.

Three tournaments are planned each year during the university holidays at Christmas, Easter and in the summer.

Ryan Waterfield attacks for Melton against Leicester Forest EMN-160707-111738002

Four teams turned up to play – Melton, Lutterworth, Vipers and Leicester Forest.

The games were fiercely contested and even, with no more than a couple of tries between any of the teams.

Melton and Vipers won all of their games to set up a winner-takes-all clash.

Vipers took an early lead, but the home side came back with two tries to take the overall honours win with a perfect record.

Leicestershire RFU president and long-time Melton RFC stalwart Brian Hesford said: “The games were all played in tremendous spirit and it certainly brought the players back together. The whole idea should go from strength to strength.

“From Melton’s point of view it shows the hard work put in by the Colts’ coaches over the last two or three years has paid off with some real quality players coming through.”