Heath under 10s triumph in reknowned Leicester Tigers tournament

The huge cup was awarded to the team by George Chuter, ex Tigers and England hooker, the draw for the Final having been made by recent England outside half Toby Flood, with England’s Tom Croft making the draw for the quarter finals stage.

The boys beat Nottingham Corsairs 3-1 in the semi-final and, just 30 minutes later, overcame Market Harborough (where former Tigers, England and British Lions captain Martin Johnson learned the rugby trade) 4-1 in the Grand Final, playing some stylish and fast-paced rugby as a coherent team. The very generous opposition coaches and supporters all commented that Heath were worthy winners and played the best rugby there. Perhaps that embraced the Premiership game that followed?!

The path to the final of this twenty-year old competition - one of the most prestigious and long-standing U10 Cup tournaments in the country - started back in October, was played over three separate rounds and involved some 70 teams from the Midlands and further afield. Heath’s players, parents and coaches had all travelled up and stayed overnight three times and the time, cost and commitment from everyone to this first-time-for-Heath event was truly 100%, especially by the eleven players who played in each of the qualifying and knockout stage Prima Tiger Cup days.

Tigers tweeted a complimentary link with a nice compliment (and photo) about the Heath team.

There was also a photo of the Heath team on the stadium scoreboard in front of 24,000 supporters yesterday at half time in the Leicester v Exeter Chiefs Premiership match (which Tigers won 45-15). Against this backdrop the boys entertained the packed half time crowd with a lap of honour duriing which their celebratory ‘grenade’ (a collective jump and fall to the ground) gave the Tiger’s and Chief’s supporters great amusement!

A triumph for Heath – and a great day for rugby!