PAVIORS' Doug Billam and Jordan Cleaver helped Notts, Lincs & Derbys (NLD) U20s beat North Midlands 24-16 at Moseley RFC.

Billam, who captained the side, and Cleaver are students at South Notts College studying sports coaching, and are also members of Nottingham Rugby Academy.

They were also joined by Ilkeston pair Elliott Gwynne and Josh Meakin.

North Midlands appeared to have laid the foundations for victory when they opened up a 13-0 lead by the interval.

However, NLD, losing Midlands finalists last season, were transformed after the break and harnessed the Billesley Common slope with three unanswered tries.

They stunned the home side with a try from fly-half Jim Wigglesworth (Hull) on 49 minutes after he had latched onto a superbly-placed chip from centre Billam. He then added the conversion.

Lock Jake Thompson (Derby) drove over for a try, Wigglesworth converted and the fly-half added his second try under the posts.

North Midlands reduced the deficit with a penalty six minutes from time but Wigglesworth scored a penalty with the last kick.

The next game for the NLD U20s in the National U20s Championship is on February 29 against Staffordshire at Mansfield RFC (7.30pm).