A RECORD three Ledbury Rugby Club under 16s players reached the Midlands confirmation trials.

They progressed through the North Midlands squad and two Super Sunday selection trials to make the day at Leicester Grammar School.

Rory Bateson (King’s School Worcester), Will Butler (Hereford Cathedral School) and George Hemingway (John Kyrle High School) were part of a squad of 48 selected from the six regions making up the Midlands grouping.

They faced the scrutiny of the England selectors, who ultimately have the task of picking the national under 16s squad.

The Ledbury trio performed well and hope to hear by Christmas whether they can progress even further. The Ross Road club’s under 16s boasted 10 players in the Herefordshire squad with five of them going through to the North Midlands squad.

All three Midlands trialists have been members of Ledbury juniors since the under sevens in a true testament to the camaraderie of the club and skills of the volunteer coaches.