By Becky Grey, Sportsbeat

Youngsters from Stroud Rugby played a part in creating history as they participated in this weekend’s Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup, hosted by Worcester Warriors.

Since being launched during the 2008-09 season, the nationwide grassroots rugby event has seen more than 70,000 children take part.

This season sees the tenth anniversary edition of the event – the ‘Testimonial Season’ – with Warriors hosting their festival in the shadow of Sixways Stadium on Saturday.

Stroud Under-12s were one of 30 Under-11 and Under-12 teams in attendance, and even got the chance to strut their stuff in front of a host of Worcester players, including Matt Cox and Tom Howe, who were casting their eyes over the next generation of stars.

And while they missed out on the chance to attend next May’s Aviva Premiership Rugby Final, despite their displaying plenty of skill and effort, 11-year-old Oliver Burcher insisted he had loved every minute of the experience.

“It was quite a hard tournament, especially because we were playing on an astroturf pitch,” said the Marling School pupil, who lives in Arlingham.

“But the experience of playing on a different surface is helpful and it’s good playing other teams all around the country because we’re just used to playing teams close by.

“I’m a Gloucester fan but playing at a Premiership ground and seeing some Worcester players was cool.”

Teams from across the county will compete at various festivals hosted by the 12 Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs this season, with the opportunity to earn a trip to the Aviva Premiership Rugby Final on May 26, where they will meet a Land Rover rugby ambassador, join in a Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup Parade at half-time and hear which of them has won a club MVP award.

Stroud did at least get the chance to rub shoulders with rugby’s elite in Cox and Howe, and the former admitted he had been impressed with what he had seen, in particular stressing the importance of grassroots rugby.

“I remember doing these kinds of tournaments when I was younger, being a local lad up at Woodrush, only 20 minutes away from here,” he said.

“It’s great when you’re a kid because you get to play against teams who you wouldn’t normally get to play.

“It’s a great day out and the kids love it. You remember days like these because you have such a good time at them.

“But seeing the youngsters play, I can never remember being that good. It helps evolve their ability and their knowledge of the game — in five years they’ll probably be taking my job!”

Land Rover is celebrating its ‘Testimonial Season’; ten years of the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup. The national series of grassroots rugby festivals is testament to Land Rover’s continued support of grassroots rugby through its ‘We Deal In Real’ campaign. Follow @LandRoverRugby #WeDealInReal