PHIL Eggleshaw impressed in his long-awaited comeback game as Nottingham's under-21 Development Team overcame the Bedford Academy 31-21 earlier this week.

YOUNG GUNS: The Nottingham Rugby Academy contingent linked up strongly with a host of senior Green and Whites in the victory.

Eggleshaw, who had shoulder surgery in the opening month of the campaign, lined up with the experimental Green and Whites side made up of mixture of Academy and senior players.

The Blues Academy , on an impressive 16 match winning streak this season which included a hard-fought victory over Nottingham's Academy in September, were a stern introductory test for Eggleshaw.

It may have been the longest injury-lay off the 23-year-old's young career, but he showed no signs of rust on his return with a number of solid hit-ups and strong carries.

Academy prop Ewan Bartlett (Loughborough) starred in the front row alongside Matt Shields before making way for Nottingham University's Alex Boggis in the second half.  

Jake Barron, who featured for the Green and Whites on a two-game loan deal from Scunthorpe earlier this season, added further to his reputation as one to watch. His work rate around the park and problems he caused the opposition back row was one of the highlights of the night.

Scrum half Will Cotterhill (Lichfield) played with attacking bite alongside No. 10 Rory Lynn, whose deft kicking in the second half gave Nottingham crucial territory and set the foundations for the Green and Whites' strong finish.

Conditions at the Bedford International Athletics Stadium were difficult for the backs, with strong swirling winds and heavy a playing surface restricting any form of open play.

Full-back James Stokes was industrious, relieving a lot of pressure created by the elements by punching holes in the young Blues' defence.

Nottingham Rugby under-21 team: PROPS - Ewan Bartlett, Alex Boggis, Matt Shields; HOOKERS - Scott Wright, Xavier Martin; SECOND ROW - Ali Wheedon, Joe Quinn, Will Ward; BACK ROW - Jake Barron, Ollie Barnes, Phil Eggleshaw, Josh Poulett; SCRUM HALF - Will Cotterhill, Josh Gundry; FLY HALF - Rory Lynn; CENTRES - Jack Bradford, Elliott Gwynne, Lewis Brooks; WING - Ryan Hough, Dave Archer, Grant Ward; FULL BACK - James Stokes, Jordan Cleaver.