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Message from the 1st Team Manager

Message from the 1st Team Manager

jim haywood1 Sep 2015 - 12:45
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https://www.suttoncoldfieldrfc

Pre-season report

With the new rugby 'league season' starting this weekend, the following report provides an update on the preparations Sutton Coldfield RFC have made during a busy summer spent rebuilding and strengthening the squad ahead of the start of their new National League 3 campaign, away to Bromsgrove RFC on Saturday 5th Sept. KO 3pm.

After a long summer of rigorous training sessions, starting with improving individual fitness levels with each squad player assessed and allocated specific exercises and targets by the B76 Crossfit training advisers, who operate at the gym on the RSG, Walmley Road site, the players moved on to improving their individual skills and then developing their team play before testing the readiness of the new look squad by taking on National League 2 runners up from last season Bury St Edmunds in an exhilarating trial game.

The ultimate test was held at the RSG on Saturday 15th Aug and was a highly entertaining contest with valuable lessons learned as the new Sutton players settled into life at Walmley Road with their first 'competitive' outing as a new team proving to be a very testing initiation against a very talented and capable team... but whilst the hosts were beaten on the score sheet the new look Sutton side came away with many positives.

These positives were clearly demonstrated in Sutton's second warm-up game when they crossed the Town to play close neighbours and old friends Veseyans RFC in an evening fixture on Tues 25th Aug. Sutton scored 6 well taken tries in the trial and the players from both teams benefitted from the encounter as both sides enter into their final preparations for the season ahead.

Intent on strengthening their squad, whilst developing their own home grown players, over a busy summer Sutton have also recruited Matt Dickerson a talented no.8, who was captain of old rivals Bournville last season; Kinsey Stoddard, an openside flanker from Birmingham/Solihull and Ben Wiles, who plays centre or fullback from old Laurentians plus George Ord from South Leicester, who provides power to the 2nd row along with the home grown talent of 2nd row Josh Bailey and scrum half Oliver Green, who have now signed for the senior side.

At the start of a critical season Sutton are also pleased to welcome the return of hooker Chris Pemble, who returns to Sutton after his global wandering and prop/backrow powerhouse Brook Davies, who is returning to rugby after a season out whilst his young family found their feet, hopefully allowing Brook to continue his long association with Sutton RFC with their blessing.

During the close season the rebuilding exercise and strengthening of the squad has gone well with the recruitment of key new players, as noted above, together the development of the younger players, who were introduced last season to replace the older experienced players who were lost to the Sutton cause at the end of the previous season. All this is happening alongside and in conjunction with the established Sutton players with a view to putting the club back to where they belong - at the top of the table.

The new players have all fitted in well and the team spirit is high, which bodes well for the coming season.

All we need now is for the venerable Green Army of loyal supporters to get behind the team to drive us on to a successful start to the new season against old rivals Bromsgrove RFC on Saturday 4th Sept. Then continue at the first home fixture of the season against Hinckley RFC on the 12th Sept.

Best wishes and a HAPPY/SUCCESSFUL NEW SEASON to the SCRFC TEAM, SPONSORS and SUPPORTERS

David Daniels
SCRFC 1st XV Team Manager.

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