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[MidlandsRugbyLeague]

Midlands Aim To Defend RLC Regional Championships Title

The Midlands are aiming to defend their RLC Regional Championships Title at the second annual event on Monday 30th May.

The 2010 Champions will join Yorkshire, North West, North East, London & South East, East Anglia and South West at Derby's Haslams Lane ground for the 2nd Regional Championships, which doubles as a selection day for the England Lionhearts.

The Midlands defeated the North West in the 2010 final by a penalty goal, but the real success for the team was seeing seven players selected for the England squad. With interest in the squad running high, coach Mark Sloan has been holding regular training sessions to prepare his players and named his squad earlier this week.

"We're really pleased with the way everyone has come together and shown their interest" says Sloan. "Myself and assistant coach Tim Farnden have been rewarded with a selection headache after the efforts that the players have shown in training. There are a number of boys who have played for England before and a couple of new players who I am sure will impress the England selectors."

"We were obviously delighted to win the event last year and take home the trophy" he continued, "but the main thing is about putting the lads in the England spotlight and helping them on their way to representing their country. However, that's not to say that the other regions will have a fight on their hands to take the trophy of us!"

The event takes place at Derby RFC, Haslams Lane, Derby, DE22 1EB and kicks off at 12.00pm with games being played until 4.00pm. Entry is free.


The Midlands 2011 Squad:

Callum Corley (Leicester Storm)
Dan Reeds (Nottingham Outlaws)
Dave Wilkins (Leicester Storm)
Demetrious Gonsalves (Leicester Storm)
Denham Samules (Telford Raiders)
Drew Harper (Birmingham Bulldogs)
George Leng (Leicester Storm)
Jack Baker (Telford Raiders)
James Derry (Telford Raiders)
Keiron Harris (Wolverhampton RLFC)
Liam Evans (Telford Raiders)
Mahmood Saad (Leicester Storm)
Mark White (Leicester Storm)
Matt Evans (Telford Raiders)
Max Oxton Morris (Leicester Storm)
Rich Rainger (Birmingham Bulldogs)
Richard Knight (Leicester Storm)
Sam Montague (Coventry Bears)
Seb Ward (Northampton Demons)
Tim Stephens (Hemel Stags)

[Super Rooster]

Only 1 Northampton player and a player from Hemel representing the Midlands?

[MidlandsRugbyLeague]

Tim lives in Northampton - which is in the Midlands.

[MidlandsRugbyLeague]

The South East won the event with a penalty goal in extra time against Yorkshire, final score 8-6.

Some good individual and team performances despite the Midlands Monsoon running throughout the day!

Lionhearts Squad will be formally declared in due course, but 20 or so names were declared on the day.

[STAG TIL I DIE]

Seb Ward- Hemel Stags!!

[MidlandsRugbyLeague]

Seb Ward - No Show.