The excellent success enjoyed by Shrewsbury’s under-17 rugby side can act as an inspiration for the club’s promotion-chasing first team, according to long-serving fly half Mattie Morris.
The Sundorne Castle teenagers made history by becoming the first young Shrewsbury side to be crowned North Midlands division one champions last weekend and can now look forward to competing nationally (see page 62).
And Morris insists it can serve as a real driving force for the first team as they push for promotion from Midlands Four West (North).
“It’s a fantastic achievement and they deserve it,” said Morris.
“We often see them train and you can see how hard they work.
“It’s great for the club as these lads are the first teamers of the future. They’ve managed to attract a few players from other clubs and hopefully we can hold on to them.”
Second-placed Shrewsbury, equally desperate to sample success, continue their campaign at Birmingham club Moseley Oak on Saturday, a match already postponed twice this season.
They make just one change from the team victorious at Veseyans last weekend with Jim Pugh replacing the unavailable Jason Allibone at full back.
“Pughy’s been playing well for the seconds so there won’t be a problem him coming in,” added Morris.
“It’s a game we should win if we play as well as we can, and we have to really as Moseley are one of the few bottom half teams we still have to play this season.”
SHREWSBURY 1st XV: D. Griffiths, N. Challinor, N. Williams, S. Owen, G. Adams, G. Daniels, B. Darbyshire, S. Evitts, P. Bolland, M. Morris, W. Jones, A. Swann, C. Tennuci, JJ Lowrie- Herz, J. Pugh. Reps: G. Wills, J. Plant, S. Barnett.
Whitchurch travel to fellow bottom four side Solihull for a rearranged game in Midlands Two West.