The Falcons Under-16s side finished on a high on Sunday, after beating arch rivals Leeds in the final game of the Leicester Academy Tournament.

The round robin format is notoriously demanding for the young players as they played in four 20 minute 15-a-side games with no kicking at goal against other regional academy sides.

Falcons 5 - 0 Leicester

Zach Kibirige raced home down the left wing early in the game to settle the nerves, but the Falcons should have scored another to put daylight between the two sides. As the game wore on Leicester started to apply some pressure of their own but the Falcons defensive line stayed strong in the final moments of the game for a well earned victory against the hosts.

Falcons 0 - 5 Worcester

Despite dominating the majority of the game, the Falcons were unable to convert pressure into points against a dogged Worcester side who battled hard for their victory. A relatively scrappy affair, the game failed to open up as both sides struggled to maintain continuity.

Falcons 5 - 15 Northampton

The Falcons side were then out muscled by a very physical and direct Northampton team who dictated the pace of the game and kept things simple. Tired bodies were staring to drop off tackles but there was light at the end of the tunnel though as Zach Kibirige came back from the sin bin to score a superb solo consolation try.

Falcons 10 - 0 Leeds

The Falcons put Leeds under pressure from the start and scored an early try through Tom Studd after some slick handling. After a spell of pressure defending on their own line the Falcons outfit gradually worked their way back up field and in the final play of the game scored again, the ball being moved from right to left before space opened up down the right touchline for Josh Dowson to seal the victory.

Forwards coach Keith Robinson (of Penrith RFC) said afterwards: "The boys showed real guts and determination out there, and it was great to see some of the players demonstrating their true class on a bigger stage to what they are used to.

"The players will now go on to compete for their County sides in a bid to earn representative honours, with two more Falcons U16 games scheduled in the Spring against our friends from across the Scottish border."

Falcons U16 Squad:

1 Josh Hodgson (Durham)
2 David Nelson (Durham)
3 Sam Laidler (Durham)
4 Ryan Wilson (Durham)
5 Oliver Hodgson (Durham)
6 Callum Duncan (Nland)
7 Josh Dowson (Cumbria)
8 Stuart Cannon (Cumbria)
9 Craig Willis (Durham)
10 Sean Mumberson (Cumbria)
11 Michael Grove (Nland)
12 Thomas Penny (Nland)
13 Tom Studd (Durham)
14 Zach Kibirige (Durham)
15 Eldon Myers (Durham)
16 Robert Reid (Nland)
17 Adam Wilkinson (Nland)
18 Richard Elliot (Nland)
19 Chris Emmett (Cumbria)
20 Jack Willis (Durham)
21 Callum Maguire (Durham)
22 Luke Johnson (Cumbria)
23 Rob Gilhespy (Nland)
24 Luke Wilson (Durham)