Ben was spotted by one of the Hertfordshire coaches while playing for his College Oaklands Wolves (which he has also captained this season). The coach then invited him to join a Herts training session from which he was then selected in the starting line-up for the Herts v Essex U18’s match, the first of three grading games at this age group. Ben played a pivotal part in the 57 – 17 win over Essex, gaining him reselection for the second grading game against Kent at Allianz Park home of Saracens RFC again in the starting line-up. Ben was rested for the final grading game due to an important ASSE college game the same week. However he had shown enough of his talent and skill to secure his place and the opportunity to move up to a Divisional Trial.

Thurrock are proud that he has developed so well and was a member of its first Thurrock Academy group, that was set-up by Dean White (director of rugby) and coached by first team coach David Mobbs Smith, showing that the club take its youth very serious.