Leicester Tigers Academy wing Jake Sterland commended the ‘chemistry’ of the young squad after running in a hat-trick of tries at Welford Road.
The Tigers cubs extended their unbeaten run with a 31-22 win over Worcester Warriors in the latest round of the Under-18 League on Saturday.
And Sterland, who has six scores for the campaign so far, told LTTV that a hat-trick on home turf was ‘one of the best feelings’.
“It can’t get any better, I can’t believe it,” he said. “That’s probably one of the best feelings I’ve had in a while.
“I was just thinking ‘get the ball, and run as fast as I can and get to the try line’. I wasn’t expecting most of them, but the team works well.
“We’ve got good chemistry with each other, we know each other’s weaknesses and strengths, so to get those is probably the best feeling that we can have.”
The match also offered the first opportunity for many of head coach Matt Smith’s men – Sterland included – to play at the historic ground for the first time.
And the Brooksby Melton College student described the feeling of running down the tunnel and on to the pitch in front of friends, family and Tigers supporters.
He continued: “I’ve never been so nervous in my life! But, once I got going, it was such a good feeling to play at Welford Road – especially since it’s where most of my idols play.”
