STAFFORD Rugby Club star Charles Venables was in the Midlands U16 squad for their opening match.
The Denstone College player and his team mates took on London & South East (LSE) in the U16 Divisional Festival at Broadstreet, near Coventry.
However, the Midlands finished on the wrong end of a 26-14 scoreline, in what was a competitive encounter.
The Midlands had taken the lead with a converted try, before LSE hit back to go 26-7 up. The former grabbed a late second try.
Following on from the festival the England U16 selectors will now choose a 70-man squad to train at Hartpury College (Gloucs) during half-term.
