A young Leeds Carnegie U16 squad, including eight U15 players, went to Leicester on Sunday to play in a competition against the likes of Leicester, Northampton and Newport Dragons.
The players produced some outstanding rugby in very difficult wet conditions and the quality of the handling belied the conditions at times. The squad were outstanding in victories over Northampton and Leicester in the first two games with the ball moving with real speed to challenge them all across the pitch and the attitude of the players to perform after the hard work in the summer was excellent.
A very young side, the majority of whom were U15, were unlucky to only draw with Newcastle when the lack of experience led to them not finishing off numerous chances having dominated the game.
Before the final game saw them take on the Dragons, as the players test themselves against Welsh opposition for the first time and the game was of real intensity and physicality which on occasion boiled over as the Welsh side looked to disrupt the Leeds team. However, Leeds stood up to the occasion well but despite constant pressure on the Dragons line for the final 10 minutes of the match were unable to score the decisive try so the game ended one try apiece after they had scored a fortunate interception try early in the first half.
The players showed huge potential and real talent as well as a fantastic attitude and credit must go to all the players involved as well as the coaching staff who have worked with them over the summer, of Danny Wild, Simon Worrall, James Parkes & Andy Galley.