Barry RFC U16s and Youth player Tom Adams went on holiday to Scotland for a week recently – and was invited to play for Lenzie RFC, a team near Glasgow!

He trained with their 2nds, and said: "Their training is totally different in style to our way of training.

"They made me very welcome and helped me by explaining what to do during the session.

"It was a good and interesting training session and to my surprise, at the end of the training, I was invited to join in a match that Lenzie were playing on the Saturday against Cumbenauld RFC. "When it came round to the Saturday both myself and my parents were excited about me playing," he added.

"I watched the first half with interest, with Lenzie doing well and in the lead at half time.

"I came on at the beginning of the second half feeling a bit nervous, and played for the whole of the second half.

"They gave me the No11 shirt – which happens to be my favourite number – to play in, and put me on the wing which is the position I play at my club in Barry.

"I did play in my own Barry RFC socks though!"

With some good ball handling and runs down the sidelines, Tom helped Lenzie with advances down the pitch, and nearly went on to score a try himself - but was beaten by a team member who put it over the line to score. Lenzie won the match 40-14.

As the players came off the pitch they patted Tom on the back, saying he had played a good game. Tom said afterwards: "It was a good match and a good experience playing with another team, especially a Scottish team.

"I never thought I would play a match with them, just that I'd be training."

Lenzie RFC President Donald Brodie presented Tom with one of their new match shirts and in return, Tom presented him with one of Barry RFC's match shirts which they were delighted to receive, and said it would be mounted and put on their clubhouse wall. A member of the Scottish club said: "From what I saw on the pitch and the reports from Thursday's training, Tom is a quality player, and we wish him good luck in his rugby career.

"He is always welcome to turn out as a trialist for Lenzie."

Tom thanked Lenzie RFC, especially Jackie McAllister for inviting him; the coaches and players who made both him and his parents welcome; and for all the hospitality while there.

Tom's parents said: "It was a good experience for Tom and he enjoyed the challenge playing a different style of rugby to what he is used to, fitting in very well.

"We hope some time in the future to go back up to Scotland to visit Lenzie RFC and we would like to thank everyone involved in our visit to the club."

Lenzie have had a number of players go forward to play for the Scotland team over the years. They will be touring in Wales in the future and it is hoped that a match with Barry RFC can be arranged.

To find out more about Lenzie RFC go to their website at www.lenzierugby.com