CHURCH Stretton Samurai's fast-improving under-17 rugby side are putting the town on the national youth rugby map after progressing to the Midlands semi-final of the National Shield.

A brace of tries from Oli Greenhouse and tries from Tommy Adeyafa, Charlie Adam and Sam Hill gave Stretton a superb 27-5 home quarter-final win over Leek.

Samurai Under-17 are also in the semi-finals of the North Midlands Plate after Roan Kirkby’s first half penalty helped them to a deserved 15-14 win at Worcester.

Meanwhile, winger Liam Ilic scored two tries as Church Stretton’s men recorded another victory on the road, triumphing 19-5 against Cleobury Mortimer on Saturday.

Nick Evans bagged the opening try, converted by Ashley Passant, and then winger Ilic, playing only his second game of rugby, dotted down in the corner as the visitors led 12-0 at the interval.

Ilic added a second try, which Passant converted, before Cleobury hit back. Stretton host Telford 1st in their next friendly on March 29.