STOTHERT & PITT The under-18s showed their mettle as they kept going during a frustrating afternoon against Bradford on Avon in a Dorset & Wilts Division 1 Merit Table match.

The hosts might have known it would not be their day when their interpretation of the quickly-taken tap penalty law and the referee's differed, leading to Bradford being awarded the first try after six minutes.

Stotherts' forwards and three-quarters were combining well, pressuring the Bradford defence to be offside under the posts, and Toby Patrick obliged by kicking the resulting penalty after 10 minutes.

But shortly before half-time the Bradford scrum-half eluded the back row at a scrum to dart under the post for a converted try and a 10-3 lead.

Excellent out ball resulted in a third try for Bradford after five minutes of the second half and they stretched their advantage still further when Stotherts were caught napping by a quickly-taken penalty.

Both tries were converted to leave the hosts trailing 24-3 but they kept battling and strong forward play resulted in a try for skipper Dan Burcombe which Toby Patrick converted.

This Sunday, Stotherts' under-17s travel to Weston-super-Mare for a Somerset Cup match, kick-off 11am.

Recruitment is now starting for the 2010-11 season and any players interested in joining Stotherts' thriving youth section should call Tony Adams on 07906 546887 for further information.