Richmond Rugby Club's Under 15s are emulating their senior side by going an incredible two seasons unbeaten as they lifted the Surrey Championship trophy for a second successive year (writes DALE HARRY).

They are arguably the strongest Under 15s side in the country and, if they continue to progress, many of the players will eventually find themselves in the first team squad, that itself, has recently completed a third successive season unbeaten.

The quality within the side has been reflected in no less than 14 players representing their counties.

Head coach Mike Reilly, who will continue to coach the side at Under 16s level next year, said: "They have been a joy to coach and I am very proud of what they have achieved. They are such an easy side to work with as they always take my instructions on board.

"We have a lot of talent in the side but what makes them so special is the team spirit - many of the players have played together since the Under 9s."

Richmond's only problem now is finding local sides good enough to compete on their level, although Rosslyn Park ran them pretty close in the final game of the season - it ended 23-20 with fly half Sebastian Jewell kicking a last minute drop goal winner.

Earlier in the season Richmond went on tour to Holland and won the Rosendaal tournament and in all games have scored at a points ratio of 10:1.

Reilly added: "They are a great bunch of lads and I believe one or two may get selected for the England squad next season."

Richmond squad: Omar Aral, Charlie Bangham, Jonathan Beckett, Alex Bodin, Liam Brodnicki, Matthew Conlon-Perry, Dominic Curtis, William Cusack, Hugo Ellis, Shane Feeley, Jack Franklin, Michael Freeman, Mathew Greenwood, Oliver Grinrod, Edward Haslam, George Hodgson, James Hopkins, Mikie Izquierdo, Sebastian Jewel, Billy Keates, Tom Loizides, Elliott Majer, Michael Molony, Henry Montgomery-Smith, Jack Newbury, David North.

May 30, 2003 11:30