HSBC MALVERN Under 16's "Stags" squad member Andy Bass, has been selected by the North Midlands Schools RFU to play in the regional side in Under 16 Midland County matches throughout this month.

Selection to this squad is always very competitive because the players who make it to this level could be on the "fast-track" route to international honours with the England Schools Under 16's.

Andy, who lives in Malvern and attended Worcester Royal Grammar School, was originally selected with fellow team mate Liam Miler (Dyson Perrins) as part of the Worcestershire Schools Under 16 squad. The two played as back-row forwards in a team that comfortably beat the county schools sides from neighbouring Shropshire, Herefordshire and Greater Birmingham earlier in October.

Along with the Malvern "Stags" flying winger, J P McCummisky, who incidentally was selected to play for Herefordshire Under 16 Schools squad, all three joined over 50 hopefuls at the start of the half term break at the North Midlands Schools trials which were held at Bredon School, near Upton.

Andy said: "The weekend was very difficult, as all the players who took part in the trials were of good quality. All three of us from the Malvern Under 16's knew that we would have to work really hard and do our best in the trials matches for the selectors to notice us."

In the end, only Andy made the final cut to the North Midlands Under 16 School's squad, leaving the other two "Stags" players to opt for honours via the more rigorous North Midlands Clubs route.

Andy Bass played his first match with the North Midlands Under 16 Schools side against Notts, Lincs & Derby last Tuesday followed by games against Stafford-shire, Leicestershire and Warwickshire schools on Nov 7, 14 & 29 respectively.