Joy for Jack at Land Rover Cup

He may not have been able to help his team to a place in the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup Parade of Champions, but Jack Ovens did not leave empty-handed after being awarded the Spirit of Rugby Award.

Launched during the 2008-09 season the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup is the first national grassroots tournament officiated by Premiership Rugby and run in conjunction with all 12 Premiership Rugby clubs.

In total, over 7,000 children will participate over the course of the season as they go in search of a spot in the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup Parade of Champions during half-time of the Aviva Premiership Rugby Final 2015.

The second event of the season took place on Saturday as Exeter Chiefs hosted Under-11s and Under-12s mini rugby teams at Exeter Saracens Rugby Club, with Ovens representing Truro Rugby Club under-12s.

The team came within a whisper of booking a date at Twickenham for the Aviva Premiership Final, reaching the semi-final stage of the Cup. Ovens’ performance did not go unnoticed by the community managers and referees who singled him out for the Land Rover Spirit of Rugby Award.

The Truro School student demonstrated compassion when a player on a rival team had to be taken to hospital, taking it upon himself to pass on his best wishes to the coach and father of the player.

The award recognises a team player who has epitomised the true spirit of rugby, played with true grit and determination showing exemplary fair play throughout.

Chiefs academy trio Joel Conlon, Stuart Townsend, and Kieran Davies were on hand to present the trophy to the 11-year-old, who also won equipment for his club.

“It’s really nice that they reward people who aren’t just totally focused on winning,” said Ovens. “Rugby isn’t all about who is the best, but about trying to give your best.

“It means a lot to win for me, and also to win the tackle bags for the rest of my team.

“I always try to play a good, fair game of rugby but to not be on the edge of the game either. I play nice and make sure I don’t get penalised for anything.

“I really enjoy playing in big festivals like this as you just keep on playing all day, even if you miss one match you can play in the next one as there are lots of different games all through the day.

“It definitely helps us develop as rugby players as it gives us a sense of what the competition is like in the area.

“I like rugby so much because it’s all about respect. In other sports you don’t see the players helping each other up off the floor or being kind to each other like you do in rugby.

“I think that’s what really matters - it’s not about who wins as long as you play well yourself and try your best, and help other people along the way.”

Ovens’ father, Jeremy, added: “I’m absolutely dead proud of him. I cannot explain how wonderful it is that he was picked out of all the players here today for doing something so kind and so generous.”

Land Rover supports grassroots rugby and provides the opportunity for over 7,000 youngsters to take part in the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup each season. Keep up-to-date with the latest Land Rover rugby activity by following @LandRoverRugby on Twitter.