TWO Lakers schoolboys are over the moon after learning that they have been picked for the Gloucestershire under-15s development side.
Paul Gwilliam and Andrew Mudway, both 14 and from Berry Hill, proved their mettle last year when they played for Forest of Dean Schools under-16s – a year ahead of their class.
Proud father Julian Gwilliam said it was a big honour and an even bigger achievement for Forest boys to win such a prestigious position.
"It has always been hard for Forest pupils to compete with the Gloucester private schools and the like for the county," he said.
He said Paul had been playing since he was seven and Berry Hill coach Kevin Watkins had helped enormously with his development.
"The competition was quite something," said Mr Gwilliam. "We started with more than 120 boys up for selection at Oxstalls a few weeks ago, coming down to the last 23 at the Prince of Wales rugby ground in Cheltenham at the weekend."
Lakers School head teacher Mike Hughes said: "The boys have worked tremendously hard and we congratulate them on their success."
And he paid tribute to the school's PE staff for a string of sporting achievers, including Paul and Andrew, who were making the school proud.