Hundreds of young rugby players got the chance to show off their skills and love for the sport as the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup returned to Bath Rugby this weekend.

After previous events held by Exeter Chiefs, Bristol Bears and Northampton Saints, Bath Rugby hosted an exciting Under-12 and Under-11 grassroots developmental festival on Sunday at North Dorset Rugby Club, with a myriad of teams from the West Country and surrounding areas locking horns.

This successful series of nationwide events, now running for nearly two decades and organised by Land Rover – the Official Vehicle of Premiership Rugby – has seen more than 100,000 children take part to date, with some realising their dreams of going on to play for Gallagher Premiership Rugby clubs.

There were 16 clubs in the U12 competition - with the winning team selected on their performances during the festival in terms of the team with most wins and points - played their part in a celebration of the sport's grassroots foundations.

And there was also the prize of attending this year's Gallagher Premiership Rugby season finale at Twickenham on 18 June at stake.

Frampton Cotterell RFC defeated Chew Valley RFC three tries to nil in a tense U12 affair.

And Frampton Cotterell RFC star Tom Marsh, who inspired his team to victory in the final, was delighted his side were able to hold on for glory.

Marsh, 12, said: “It’s been really exciting to be here today.

“There was a lot of excitement and It’s been very nice just to get out and tackle people since lockdown.

“There were some really good teams here, the standard was high, it was a tough day, but an enjoyable one too.

“Nathan Hughes is my hero because he plays in my position and I want to play like him in future.”

Devizes RFC were chosen as winners of the U11 competition - based on the team that best demonstrates rugby’s core values - as 15 teams competed, and will head down to Twickenham for the Gallagher Premiership Rugby final in June.

And Devizes U11 player Ben Bolton-Manning was grateful for both the Land Rover event itself, and to be back playing rugby again.

Bolton-Manning, 11, said: “It’s been a great festival and we’ve had a good time.

“I’d never played in a Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup event before today and it was exciting as it was the biggest festival I’ve ever played in.

“We didn’t really play much in two years, so it’s nice to be back out and playing again, I missed rugby quite a lot.

“We did start doing Wednesday rugby after lockdown so we could get back to being as a team and practice skills and things.

“The teams were very good here today, but it’s been really fun.”

Land Rover ambassador Lewis Moody, who racked up 71 caps for England, added: "The return of the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup across the country is a huge boost for grassroots rugby.

"It is one of the longest standing national series of rugby festivals for Under-11 and Under-12 youngsters and is always a date in season that clubs look forward to being part of.

"It cannot be underestimated how important these grassroots rugby events are for rugby in the UK. Youngsters will learn vital lessons by playing in these festivals, that will serve them on and off the rugby pitch.

"To date, over 100,000 youngsters have taken part in the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup, with several players going on to play for Premiership Rugby clubs. This shows the pathway these youngsters can take on their rugby journey, thanks to Land Rover's support of grassroots rugby."

Land Rover has been supporting grassroots rugby in the UK for nearly two decades, through the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup. Follow the latest Land Rover rugby activity on Twitter @LandRoverRugby #DiscoverRugby