IT was almost 12 months ago that Warwickshire Colts RFU began the process of putting together a squad of players that could challenge for this year's Midland Clubs Group Championship and the RG Coward Trophy.

Now, at the end of a tough year for both players and officials, the squad is left to reflect on their best sequence of results for many years after winning six of their nine games and finishing third in the league.

Four district sides played a series of Under-17 games from which a development squad of 40 youngsters were selected to take part in four friendly fixtures.

Stratford boasted seven members - Alex Ballantine, Howard Boswell, Adam Easter, Stephen Elliot, Simon Franey, Richard Green and Elliot Smith, alongside forwards coach Neil Smith.

This squad was then reduced to a more manageable 28 - the coaches debating long and hard about their eventual line-up. Boswell, Elliot and Easter were the Pearcecroft quartet to miss out but they had already done their bit for junior rugby at the club.

After an opening reverse against North Midlands, two draws followed, results that weren't quite good enough to sustain a championship challenge.

Warwickshire, though, broke their duck against Staffordshire and then added a second win in the final game against arch rivals North Midlands.

Over the course of the matches, the players have been under the gaze of the Midland selectors, who are putting together a squad to represent the Midlands in the new year.

And, it wouldn't be a surprise if this season sees a record number of county youngsters being involved.

January also sees the whole process start again with the Under-17 inter-district games and you can be assured that the ambitious Stratford club will again be at the forefront of the junior game.

Stratford's first team, currently top of their division, were without a game last Saturday but they face a league double-header over the next two weekends.

Bedworth are the visitors to Pearcecroft on Saturday, while local pride will be at stake seven days later with a visit to near neighbours Evesham.