A SCHOOLBOY rugby player is bouncing back from injury after his aspirations for the game came down to earth with a bump.

Year 11 student at Our Lady and St Bede’s Catholic Academy, Stockton, Jamie Marlow was selected to train with Newcastle Falcons Academy.

But during a practice session he landed awkwardly after jumping for the ball in a lineout breaking his ankle in the process.

Eight weeks on, the 6ft 3in 16-year-old is now on the road to recovery and hoping soon to get back to training.

“I went up for the ball and as I came down I landed badly on my ankle,” said Jamie, a member of the Durham County Development Programme and a Stockton RUFC No 8. “I couldn’t even run but am now on the mend. I love playing at the Falcons Academy, they are a great set of lads.”

Jamie has been playing rugby since he was ten when his mother took him to a club fun day. “I just loved it from the minute I grabbed the ball and the dream is to eventually play for a premiership side, England and the British Lions,” he said.

Headteacher Mo Wilkinson said: “We strive to instil in all of our students a sense of resilience and Jamie is a great example of this. Despite this initial setback his enthusiasm for the game remains as strong as ever and I’m sure this determined young man will go on to do great things within the sport.”