North Midlands were beaten 48-25 by a lively Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire side in their opening match of this season’s Jason Leonard Under-20s County Championship at Bournville today.
The match was all over as a contest after 18 minutes by which time NLD had run in four tries and secured the bonus point.
NLD beat East Midlands comfortably in their opening match and they looked match sharp for most of the first half as they opened up a 34-3 lead.
Rhys Harrhy (Bournville) kicked a first half penalty for North Midlands who improved as the match progressed to edge the second half.
North Midlands also claimed a valuable try bonus point with prop Connor Deignan crossing twice in the second half and his Luctonians club-mates Wilf Pearson and Rob Lester also scoring tries. Harrhy converted the first of Deignan’s tries.
North Midlands now need to beat East Midlands at Daventry on March 17 if they are to join NLD in the national quarter-finals.