MATT PANTER

TAMWORTH RFC under-10s produced a "fantastic" performance to reach the semi-finals of the Prima Bowl at the home of Leicester Tigers on Saturday.

The under-10s faced Leicester Forest at the 24,000 capacity Welford Road as a curtain-raiser to the Tigers' Heineken Cup clash with Italian side Aironi.

In blustery conditions, Tamworth won their game 2-1 to make the semi-finals.

They got off to a flying start when some fine interplay between Aaron Tomson and Joe Collier in the midfield released Darnell Needham, who made a trademark 30-yard burst into the corner to score.

Forest fought back with some determined forward play to level the scores at 1-1 just before half-time.

A nail-biting second period saw Tamworth turn up the heat against a tough, determined Leicester outfit.

The Tamworth forwards and midfield dominated possession, leading to a winning try.

A superb driving maul ended with Oli Thompson crashing over for a pushover try to take the score to 2-1.

Despite some late pressure from Forest, a magnificent defensive rearguard kept them at bay as Tamworth secured their place in the last four.

The Tamworth squad was made up of Danny Hunt, Jack Jones, Thompson, Tomson, Collier, Josh Van Der Berg, Needham, Kit Smith, Danny Kimberley, Will Kerley, Zac Smith, Kieren Whelan and Ethan Vickery.

In the other quarter-finals, Melton Mowbray edged out Wolverhampton 4-3 and Wymondham beat Southwell 1-0.

Burton drew 1-1 with Diss from Norfolk but went through after scoring first.

The boys return to Welford Road on February 25 for the semi-finals as a prelude to Leicester Tigers' fixture against Newcastle Falcons.

Tigers community manager Scott Clarke said: "It was a fantastic day of Prima action and all of the teams can feel proud of their achievements.

"The quarter-finals in the bowl provided a great exhibition of skill and commitment and it was brilliant to see such support at Welford Road."