Mick Bloxham replaces Stuart Barnes?As a one time winner of the Club's fifteen a side pre season tournament, I could think of no better person to ask about the benefits of the event than Big Mick.
We agreed that the results were only part of the exercise and that the preparation for the coming weeks would be high on the agenda when we come to analyse the performances.
It is no longer enough to have a decent first team. It is much more important to have a first team squad, so it was really quite helpful for our second row to get wed as close to the new season as possible thus enabling more of our boys to show their ability.
Looking at our own performance, there were a good number of positives in all phases of the game. Fitness is almost good enough, sharpness of thought could do with some attention but with a real surge over the coming weeks we think that a good start could be achieved.
The competition (shield) was won by the Vipers 'A' team who defeated the Yards in the final. A good day for the visitors as their 'B' team won the plate by defeating Ashby.
A very big 'Thank You' to the referees from the North Mids Society, to all those who worked hard to make the day a success and to our very own Mark Baldwin for the smooth operation that we come to expect from him.
Filofaxes ready
With the world cup getting ever closer, (Tempus Fugit), it could be difficult to prioritise your rugby viewing. But here goes,
The First Team start with a difficult cup game at home to Old Salts on August 29th, followed by league games v Old Salts on September 12th (away), v Wolverhampton on September 19th (away) and v Shrewsbury on September 26th (home).
This coming Saturday we have been invited to travel all the way to Woodrush to take on our old friends. We will take a large squad (in number rather than weight) with players from all of our sides featuring. Come and have a look, you might even enjoy it.
I will publish the fixtures for our other teams as the season gets closer.
Thanks to Mick Bloxham for his analytical skills.