Rising star Alex is a hat-trick hero in national colts final
David ThorpeDiss Rugby Club youngster Alex Kelsall played a star role as Bedford Blues Academy romped to success in the National Colts Cup this week. The 18-year-old from Banham helped himself to a hat-trick of tries as Bedford thrashed Weston-super-Mare club Hornets 55-12 in the final at Franklins Gardens in Northampton.David Thorpe
Diss Rugby Club youngster Alex Kelsall played a star role as Bedford Blues Academy romped to success in the National Colts Cup this week.
The 18-year-old from Banham helped himself to a hat-trick of tries as Bedford thrashed Weston-super-Mare club Hornets 55-12 in the final at Franklins Gardens in Northampton.
And he is celebrating this week by undertaking a 100-mile round Norfolk cycle ride in aid of charity.
Winger Kelsall helped Diss reached the National League for the first time in their history last season and also scored a wonder-try in their Norfolk Cup final success over Beccles.
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This season he has played a part in establishing the club at the higher level, finishing one place above county rivals North Walsham while becoming an established member of the Eastern Counties side - having made his debut as a 17 year old last season.
Now studying Sports Science and Coaching at Bedford University, he has meanwhile been taken into the Bedford Blues Academy, whose senior side is playing for end of season honours in the National Championship semi-finals against Exeter tomorrow.
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Having established himself as a fixture in the Blues Academy side, he took star billing in Monday's final.
Having opened the scoring by finishing a textbook move in the backs he made a spectacular try saving tackle following an opposition breakaway three minutes later.
Towards the end of the first half he crashed through the defence to net his second try, giving Blues a 17-7 interval lead.
In the second half he was tackled short of the line after a solo breakaway from his own 22 but managed to off-load for a team-mate to finish off under the posts. He then completed his treble to complete a convincing Blues victory.
Kelsall is following in the footsteps of Dan Hipkiss, who also started his career at Diss and went on to establish himself as a star of the England squad.
