May 7, 2007
England legend Jason Leonard handed over the silverware after Bristol's teenagers edged Lowestoft into second place in the Under-15 Boys Development Festival competition at Rugby School.
The Rugby Football Union and sponsors Royal & SunAlliance run a programme of events each year designed to take the game to new communities that is fronted by 2003 World Cup winner Leonard.
That work was showcased at Rugby School over the Bank Holiday weekend by nine highly motivated sides from the inner cities and one from schools in rural Norfolk.
Bristol put their side together from boys from inner city estates working with coaches at the Dings Crusaders club.
And their blend of energy, aggression and raw pace clinched them three wins and a draw in four tight games on the final day.
Mike Stewart and Tom Bryant's tries secured a 10-0 win over Essex, Stewart scored again in a 5-0 win against Lowestoft and, after a 0-0 draw with Liverpool, Nathan Moore's try and a Josh Robbins conversion saw off Birmingham 7-5.
"We've gone into the Filton, Southmead and Lockleaze areas of Bristol and got these lads to come along to the club to receive coaching and some of them have only really got involved in the last couple of months," said team manager Mark Wright.
"They all shook Jason's hand and they've thoroughly enjoyed themselves - it's a brilliantly organised event and everything went like clockwork.
"We're now hoping to establish these boys in the local rugby community and that this success helps us to go from strength to strength."
Development Festival day two
Cup results: Essex 0 Lowestoft 17, Liverpool 17 Birmingham 15, Essex 0 Bristol 10, Lowestoft 12 Birmingham 5, Liverpool 0 Bristol 0, Essex 12 Birmingham 5, Lowestoft 0 Bristol 5, Essex 28 Liverpool 7, Birmingham 5 Bristol 7, Lowestoft 12 Liverpool 5
Standings: 1 Bristol, 2 Lowestoft, 3 Essex, 4 Liverpool, 5 Birmingham
Plate results: Newcastle 7 Leeds/Bradford 12, Teesside 5 Nottingham 0, Newcastle 0 Manchester 10, Leeds/Bradford 0 Nottingham 0, Teesside 19 Manchester 5, Newcastle 12 Nottingham 12, Leeds/Bradford 22 Manchester 5, Newcastle 7 Teesside 0, Nottingham 25 Manchester 0, Leeds/Bradford 26 Teesside 0
Standings: 1 Leeds/Bradford, 2 Nottingham, 3 Teesside, 4 Newcastle, 5 Manchester.
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