Leicestershire, the wooden spoonists in last season's Midlands Under-18 Championship, got their new campaign off to a winning start with a 29-15 victory over East Midlands at Long Buckby on Wednesday evening.
Leicestershire, who did not win a mat
ch last season, benefitted from the inclusion of a strong nucleus of players from last season's successful Under-17 side and inflicted a rare defeat in the competition on East Midlands.
Joe Glover of John Cleveland College contributed 14 of Leicestershire's points by kicking four penalties and a conversion.
The tries came from lock Kieran Stone (Syston) captain and hooker Marcus Badham (Melton Mowbray) and fly-half Ryan Oakes of John Cleveland College.
East Midlands responded with two tries from Bedford School centre Will Dunkley and a penalty and conversion from Glynn Hughes of Biggleswade.
North Midlands began their defence of the title with a 17-6 win over Warwickshire at Droitwich where captain and number eight Will Radburn and wingers Kris Brindley and James Trueman scored tries. Lloyd Hayes of Shropshire added a conversion.
Warwickshire, who beat Staffordshire in their opening match on Sunday, scored two penalties in the first ten minutes through fly-half Josh Knight of Barkers' Butts.
The next game in the competition is Notts, Lincs & Derbyshire v Leicestershire at Newark's Kelham Road ground on Sunday October 12 (2.30pm).
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