ACCRINGTON Lions Junior rugby league side is going from strength to strength after one of the players won a call-up to train with National League One side Leigh Centurions.

St Christopher's pupil, Matt Lovell, who plays for the Under 16 side, only took up the sport recently and his first game was for Lancashire after being successful in a trial.

And now he has a league club keeping track of his movements - and could win a contract there at a side which are top of the league and could be in the Super League next season.

Two other St Christopher's pupils - Jason Glasgow who is captaining the Accrington side and Matt Mason, who unfortunately broke his collarbone playing for Lancs but is making a recovery - are also hoping to make an impact after also making their rugby league debuts for the county.

They are now competing for the newly-formed Accrington Under 16s Lions who played their first match against Crossfields in a pre-season friendly before their season starts in September.

They lost 30-4 but the team from Warrington have been playing for seven years and will play in one league higher than Accrington - the local side will be in the North West Counties Division Two next season.

Crossfields were stronger in the first half but the Lions got their first try in the second half and will keep improving.

Anyone interested in joining Accrington RLFC - from Under 9s upwards - can contact Axel on 07817 577090. They train every Thursday at Highams Playing Fields from 6-7pm.