Talented attwood is attracting interest

Dings Crusaders' talented 17-year-old second-row Dave Attwood isbeing courted by Leicester Tigers, Gloucester and Bristol Shoguns.

The teenager has caught the eye of the professional clubs afterbeing thrown in at the deep end in the Lockleaze-based side'sNational Division III South campaign.

Attwood, from Downend, has also played for Bristol United thisseason and is rated as a hot prospect by Dings coach Bob Hesford.

"Any 17-year-old who can play in National Division III South is aphenomenon. A lot of clubs are interested in him, but my personalview is that I hope he goes to Bristol," said Hesford.

"Bristol will be in the Premiership, hopefully, by the end of theseason. The Bristol club and public would be delighted to see himrunning around at the Memorial Stadium."

Attwood has made 13 appearances, four from the bench, for Dingsthis season and is in the starting line-up for tomorrow's leagueclash at home to Tabard (2.30pm).

The youngster has also won a call-up to the England Under-18trials.

Hesford added: "When Dave first came to the club we were veryimpressed by his physical attributes - He is 6ft 5ins, 18st, and hasgood hands.

"Our vice captain and lock Mike Jefferies wasn't available for thefirst game of the season and we thought long and hard about puttingDave in. You have to be careful with 17-year-olds."

Meanwhile, Dings have signed wing Mike Griffiths after he wasreleased from his contract by Bristol.

The three-quarter, originally from Bridgwater, has spent the last18 months at the Memorial Stadium but his only competitive action wason loan at Dings this season. He has made nine starts for the club.

Prop Jason Hobson, man-of-the-match in the win over Weston onSaturday, has been recalled by the Shoguns but another Bristol prop,Wayne Thompson, returns to Hesford's team.

Dings will also keep the same side for the Gloucestershire Cupfirst-round clash at Gloucester Old Boys on Sunday, if they stayclear of injuries (1pm).

Weston-super-Mare boss Chris Williams is hopeful the Seasiders canclimb clear of the drop zone.

Third-from-bottom Weston travel to fellow strugglers Reading, whoare a place below Williams' side in the table, tomorrow (2.30pm).

He said: "In the next five weeks, we are playing teams who we knowwe can beat and it is an important time.

"The division is splitting into three at the moment. The top fiveteams are pulling away, bottom club Haywards Heath are adrift and theremaining eight sides are separated by just eight points. If youstring two wins together then you could jump up four places."

Holders Weston travel to Clevedon on Sunday for a fourth-roundSomerset Cup clash (2pm).

Clevedon include Matthew Harris, who was their two-try hero fromtheir 2001 County Cup final triumph over Bridgwater. The South West Iside travel to Maidenhead for a league match tomorrow and will hand17-year-old Nathanael Catt his debut if he comes off the bench.

Old Redcliffians also face a league and county cup double thisweekend. They host Midsomer Norton in Somerset Premier tomorrow andentertain Hornets on Sunday.

Keynsham, who are still looking for their first win this season,will be out for revenge when they travel to Bristol Harlequinstomorrow.

The South West I team were sent packing by Quins in the PowergenIntermediate Cup earlier this season.