BREDON Buzzards U10s were invited to the North Midlands U10s festival as a last minute replacement for a team unable to attend.

They went home triumphant after winning the tournament, an honour held by Worcester since 1996.

In what were wet and miserable conditions, the boys won all three of their league games, Luctonians A 10-0, Droitwich 25-0 and Moseley 15-5.

They went on to beat Bromsgrove B 20-0 in the quarter final; Worcester 0-0 (Bredon through on number of previous tries) in the semi-final, and then Birmingham and Solihull 10-0.

In the final, Bredon dominated play from the first whistle, and put intense pressure on the opposition. The hopes of the Bredon supporters were raised several times when players such as Joe Carolan and Will Dovey powered their way through, only to be tackled right on the Birmingham and Solihull line.

The Buzzards finally made their mark three minutes into the second-half when Ben Cooke touched down. With victory in sight, Joe Taylor was determined to remove any element of doubt, and made four successive tackles deep in the Buzzards half, enabling the ball to pass out to Joe Carolan, who ran safely home for the overjoyed Bredon Buzzards.

The boys, who played with grit, determination and skill, were also heralded as worthy winners by a number of their opponents, who also remarked on their sportsmanlike conduct.

The squad was: Will Barrell, Joe Carolan (captain), Ben Cooke, Simon Cox, Will Dovey, Charlie Farmer, Chris Foster, Kass Gerami, Elliott Lovett, Dan McGuigan, Rory McGuigan, Joe Taylor, Ben Vincent, Brandon Wain.