Middlemiss leads county Scots (From Stroud News and Journal)

Middlemiss leads county Scots

FOUR players from Widden RFC under-16's, including one from, Stroud, have been selected for the Scottish Exiles squad following a successful trial at Northampton.

Phil Middlemiss, from Cainscross, Gloucester's Ben Whitard and Ben and Andrew Murphey from Dursley were selected and played in two practice matches for the Exiles.

All four players are forwards and they excelled in matches against Edinburgh and Middlesborough.

This is the first time that the Scottish Exiles have run a team at under-16's level and their coaches were so impressed with the squad that they hope to gain funding from the Scottish RFU to run the team full-time.

All four players have benefited from the experience but it was even more memorable for 16-year-old Wycliffe Senior pupil Philip because he was made captain of the side.

Andy Brown coaches the players at Widden and he has built a successful team with many players that have the potential to go far.

They have had a decent league season and played in the County Cup final against Cleeve at Stroud RFC last Sunday.

Philip is very ambitious in what he wants to achieve in Rugby and his father David said:

"He is a very keen supporter of Gloucester RFC and Philip hopes to get into the under-17 development squad."