Olney RFC's U12 team are set to appear in a half-time parade at the Aviva Premiership Rugby Final at Twickenham after impressing at the recent Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup held at Trowbridge RFC.

Proud coach Steve Grainger said: "We took a strong team down to Bath Rugby’s tournament because we heard from the age group above that the quality of the rugby was very high – we certainly weren’t disappointed. Our toughest game was probably the semi-final against Chippenham RFC; it was a draw but we made it through as we were the first team to score.

"The final was also a great contest with all the boys giving everything to make sure they get on the pitch at Twickenham. Overall we scored 17 & only conceded 2 tries all day. It was certainly our dogged defense that won it for us."

More than 30 Under-11 and Under-12 teams took part in the grassroots rugby festival – which is celebrating its tenth anniversary year and has seen more than 80,000 children take part to date – with Olney loving every second.

“I started when I was really young, I was just trying out loads of sports and I decided to stick with rugby,” said player Thomas Ross. “I liked the adrenaline and the physical side of it which is more me than the others. Rugby is really good. You make loads of friends. I have made friends with practically everyone here.

“On the pitch, a lot of things go through your mind. You have to trust them. You do what you have to do and you trust everyone else. To get to Twickenham means a lot to me and all our players. It’s what you can achieve and that’s big. It would be really scary but it’s just the size of it. It’s known as the home of rugby so it will be really special.”

Salisbury RFC were the successful side in the Under 11s tournament and will join Olney at Twickenham on May 25.

As well as taking part in the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup Parade during May’s final, the two junior sides can also look forward to meeting a Land Rover rugby ambassador at Twickenham and hearing which of them has won their club’s MVP award.

Land Rover is celebrating its ‘Testimonial Season’; ten years of the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup. The national series of grassroots rugby festivals is testament to Land Rover’s continued support of grassroots rugby through its ‘We Deal In Real’ campaign. Follow @LandRoverRugby #WeDealInReal

Read more at https://www.premiershiprugby.com/2017-2018/olney-salisbury-youngster-land-rover-premiership-rugby-cup/#8QSLF6AYv5DyD0FI.99