THE hills around Mapperton reverberated with the roar of the Bridport Under-16s rugby team at the weekend.

A 17-strong squad of 15-year-olds took on, and conquered, the gruelling Kami-kaze run, an eight-mile endurance race that includes a number of fiendish obstacles.

All of the youngsters conquered the Spiders Web, the Bog, the Kamikaze Slide and Electric Fence Shed as well as a couple of walls and a barbed wire crawl during the event organised by Votwo.

The steep Dorset valleys course tested each competitor’s mettle and pushed the 500 runners that took part to the limits of exhaustion.

Coach Jason Kidd said: “The benefits of their efforts will only really be felt when the team are five points behind in the last few minutes of a vital cup match. It is then that the teamwork they all showed will really shine through.

“The roar was mighty and the effort and enjoyment clear for everyone to see.”

Rob Newall, owner of Mapperton Farm, added: “My favourite memory from the day was seeing a pack of Bridport colours, ball still merrily being passed around, charging up the final hill.

“Watching the boys and seeing how much fun everyone that took part got from the event has inspired us to think of creating a special rugby club challenge next year.

“With interest already coming from Weymouth it looks like the Bridport Under-16s have started something.”

The team kick-off their season with an away game at Bournemouth Oakmeadians on Sunday.