Excellent effort from the under 10's at Prima Cup

The extremely excited under 10's arrived at Welford Road full of anticipation and enthusiasm at the prospect of playing on the professional pitch. They all donned their new training tops and looked like the mini professionals that they are and waited patiently to enter the ground. Unfortunately we are missing Benji Leasing and Thomas Cawthorn due to illness. The team hopes you are well soon boys.

The parents made their way to their seats and waited anxiously for the boys to appear... then there they were... Luca Stables, Thomas Duffin, Harvey Freeman, Toby Peel, Fabian Sgoluppi, Robson Dabbs, Tommy Eager, Rory Tyrell, Kacey Tyrell, Connor Napier, Callum Smyth and Billy Eyles.

The fabulous parents cheered loudly for our boys as they came out waving and grinning from ear to ear!

The Blues were directed to the pitch where they would be facing the opposition and began their warm up session. The coaches enjoyed an excellent session with the boys as they demonstrated that they were on form and ready for impending match.

Then there is was, the whistle blew and the boys came out fighting. Haywards Heath quickly exposed themselves as formidable opposition, scoring the first try of the match but the Blues stepped up to the challenge and tackled hard.

Kacey Tyrell pushed the Red player hard down the wing and Toby Peel was able to make a first class tackle sending the Red player flying. Callum Smyth was instantly there to support him demonstrating his ability to ruck over and fend off the opposition. The Blues then make their play but the ball went into touch and it was a scrum, advantage to Haywards Heath.

Haywards Heath then make their move and Tommy Eager narrowly misses an opportunity to intercept the ball. However we are not done yet. Harvey Freeman makes a massive tackle to stop the run and the ball is thrown out to the Blues. Rory Tyrell came charging through to catch the ball and power over the try line and plant one for Kettering. Did you all hear us scream back at Kettering? You should have, the crowd was deafening!

The whistle is blown and at half time the score is 1-1.

So starts the second half. Kettering are full of belief that they can win this and kick off the play. Unfortunately, Haywards Heath ability to turn over the ball is our downfall. Their number 10 went screaming down the wing chased hard by all the Blues. The determination on Thomas Duffin's face was evident for all to see as he dived in for the tackle. But The Reds make the line and the score is 2-1 to Haywards Heath.

Play starts again and the Reds quickly have the ball but Luca Stables goes in hard for the tackle with Fabian Sgoluppi slamming himself into the opposition to ruck over. Billy Eyles is quickly there to support him and Connor Napier has the ball. Connor gets his head down and drives hard into the opposition gaining a good few metres before going to ground and presenting the ball. Here, Haywards Heath were quick to ruck over and steal the ball back.

The ball is again flying down the wing but Robson Dabbs throws himself so hard into the tackle he stops the play. The ball went out into touch and the advantage goes to Kettering in the scrum. The boys make their play but again the ball was snatched by the Reds and they seal their victory with the last try of the match. The games ends 3-1 to Haywards Heath.

A valiant effort from the Kettering under 10's. They fought hard but missed out to a deserving Haywards Heath team.

A word from coach James Duffin: 'Well done to the team for today's performance. They came up against a tough opposition and all tackled well.'

The Leicester Tigers adventure does not end there for our boys. As a result of their efforts they will be back at Welford Road for the runners up bowl in February. So watch this space, we might still have some more silverware to show off yet!