SUTTON & Epsom U11 starlet Matthew Roberts is counting down the hours until the Aviva Premiership final after booking a trip to Twickenham.

He and his team-mates triumphed at the Harlequins leg of the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup to bag their place at rugby HQ for the Aviva Premiership Grand Final in May.

Launched during the 2008-09 season, the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup is the first national grassroots tournament officiated by Premiership Rugby and run in conjunction with all 12 clubs.

Last month, Harlequins hosted the latest leg of the competition, as the top local U11 rugby teams met at Richmond upon Thames College in the shadow of Twickenham Stadium.

More than 7,000 children participated during the campaign as they go in search of a spot in the ‘Parade of Champions’ at half-time of May's final.

Sutton & Epsom U11s came through their pool and the semi-final in style before playing superbly against Guildford U11s in the showpiece itself and 11-year-old Roberts claims his team’s triumph will live long in the memory.

“It feels really good to win this tournament. We’re only the second Sutton and Epsom team to win it so we’re really proud of ourselves,” said the St Clements School pupil.

“I’m friends with everyone on my team. I came to England from South Africa four years ago and I’ve been playing with this team for two years.

“I enjoyed the day a lot – it’s a great experience to win something like this with your friends.

“We beat Cobham in the semis and they were a fantastic team, and we played even better against Guildford in the final as well. The boys played out of their socks and I can’t believe it.

“I feel really privileged to be able to go to the Premiership final at Twickenham. It’s going to be awesome to do that in front of 80,000 people, it just doesn’t seem realistic.”

Harlequins Academy stars Archie White and Sam Aspland Robinson were also at Richmond upon Thames College to support the day – both admitting they were very impressed with the talent on display.

White is a former Sutton & Epsom player and believes his old team will relish the experience of walking out at Rugby HQ – something he is desperate to do himself.

“I was never fortunate enough to do anything like go on the Twickenham pitch when I was young – we weren’t always the best of teams,” said the flanker.

“But the kids out there were putting everything they could into it and going out on to the pitch at Twickenham in the Prem final will be great for my old team – I haven’t even done it yet!

“Getting people more involved in the sport is the main thing and that starts with grassroots rugby.

“I’m sure that’s where most professionals started – it’s a massive experience and it’s growing as well. It’s so good for the future of the sport.”

Land Rover is a proud supporter of grassroots rugby and a partner of the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup for nearly a decade. Land Rover’s ‘We Deal In Real’ campaign aims to champion grassroots rugby on the global stage during Rugby World Cup 2015. Follow @Land RoverRugby #WeDealInReal