WORCESTER Rugby Club flanker Neil Mason helped Midlands Under 21s to a thrilling 27-25 win over their counterparts from the North at Peel Croft in Burton.
The Worcester development squad player played the entire game on the blindside flank, with the exception of a ten-minute period when he was sin-binned for handling in a ruck.
The Midlands almost surrendered the initiative they seized when they opened up a 20-8 lead late in the first half as the North hit back with a hat-trick of tries from Sale winger Anthony Elliott.
But a late try from Leicester's replacement prop Jon Holtby, which was converted by his club-mate Sam Vesty, gave the Midlands victory.
A combined North and Midlands XV will now be chosen to play France East at Broadstreet's new £3.5 million ground on the outskirts of Coventry on November 14 (12.30pm) in the next stage of the selection process for the England Under 21 team.
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