Young players at the former club of Owen Williams surprised their opponents at a sevens tournament by running out in Leicester Tigers colours.
Tigers have forged close links with Ystradgynlais, Williams’s first club, since his move to Welford Road last summer.
Players from Ystradgynlais have sampled the big match atmosphere at Welford Road on two occasions. On one occasion, their visit included a tour fixture against Market Harborough and fly-half Williams went along to watch them in action.
As a result, the Ystradgynlais U12s adopted Tigers’ famous green, white and red colours for the recent Powys Junior 7s – and eventually ran out winners of the tournament, which attracted 20 teams from across Wales.
Coach Andrew Lloyd Hughes said: “The team has been a massive Owen Williams fan ever since he turned up at our Player of the Year event a few years ago, before he became a Leicester Tiger.
“We've seen him twice this year at Welford Road, but it was very special when he turned up on a Sunday morning to watch our tour match against Market Harborough earlier this year. The players were beside themselves.
“As all players have a Leicester jersey these days, we thought we'd wear the famous green of Tigers in support of Owen – and it did us the world of good as we won the tournament!
“We did have some strange looks from our rivals though as they weren’t expecting us to look like an Aviva Premiership team, that's for sure!"
The Powys Junior 7s is hosted in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons in Ystradgynlais.
Organisers hope to attract teams from England to take part in next season’s tournament and to extend a warm welcome to Tigers supporters who come along to spectate.
Clubs interested in playing in next season’s tournament should see www.ystradrugby.com for more details.
More information on Group Days at Leicester Tigers is available by clicking here.
Tigers have forged close links with Ystradgynlais, Williams’s first club, since his move to Welford Road last summer.
Players from Ystradgynlais have sampled the big match atmosphere at Welford Road on two occasions. On one occasion, their visit included a tour fixture against Market Harborough and fly-half Williams went along to watch them in action.
As a result, the Ystradgynlais U12s adopted Tigers’ famous green, white and red colours for the recent Powys Junior 7s – and eventually ran out winners of the tournament, which attracted 20 teams from across Wales.
Coach Andrew Lloyd Hughes said: “The team has been a massive Owen Williams fan ever since he turned up at our Player of the Year event a few years ago, before he became a Leicester Tiger.
“We've seen him twice this year at Welford Road, but it was very special when he turned up on a Sunday morning to watch our tour match against Market Harborough earlier this year. The players were beside themselves.
“As all players have a Leicester jersey these days, we thought we'd wear the famous green of Tigers in support of Owen – and it did us the world of good as we won the tournament!
“We did have some strange looks from our rivals though as they weren’t expecting us to look like an Aviva Premiership team, that's for sure!"
The Powys Junior 7s is hosted in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons in Ystradgynlais.
Organisers hope to attract teams from England to take part in next season’s tournament and to extend a warm welcome to Tigers supporters who come along to spectate.
Clubs interested in playing in next season’s tournament should see www.ystradrugby.com for more details.
More information on Group Days at Leicester Tigers is available by clicking here.
