| All of the leagues our sides are competing in next season look tough. In N3N clubs such as Sandal, Burnage and Waterloo have been strengthening their squads. The new boys include big clubs like Harrogate and Kendal who have come down - with competitive outfits such as Billingham and Percy Park coming up. West will have to face the new season without mercurial hooker Liam Bailey. He injured his knee ligaments in training at the end of last season and is awaiting an operation. Front row is one of the key areas for all clubs - you simply can't have enough - and it's the same in the back row where Rovers' player of the season Stewart Grazier is a welcome new face. | |
| Unusually, the first session included contact which is a marker of how determined the new coaches are to hit the ground running. Director of Rugby Kevan Oliphant said: "Last season was tough. Every week there were results you couldn't predict, which showed how closely matched the clubs at the top and bottom were. |  |
| "Mowden were runaway winners, but we could have beaten them home and away. We need to build on performances like that and add consistency to our game if we are to improve on sixth spot." Jonny Boatman is taking main responsibility for forwards coaching with Iain Dixon concentrating on the backs. Dixon says: "Luke Watson [above] never shuts up during the game and organises the defence very well. "He's always enthusiastic and upbeat, and that's why we want to give him more responsibility as vice-captain." | |
Pre-Season Gets Underway
By Dave Picken - July 4 2012
Dan Boatman will once again captain the first XV with Luke Watson taking over as vice-captain. That was the first decision of new coaches Iain Dixon and Jonny Boatman at a very well attended first training session ...
Pre-Season Gets Underway
Posted by: Official West Hartlepool RFC (IP Logged)
Date: 04/07/2012 10:36
Re: Pre-Season Gets Underway
Posted by: cmiller (IP Logged)
Date: 04/07/2012 21:28
Your going to need a translator in the dressing room for the pair of them!
Re: Pre-Season Gets Underway
Posted by: Dave Picken (IP Logged)
Date: 04/07/2012 21:35
I think we qualify for a grant for taking them in.
Re: Pre-Season Gets Underway
Posted by: chris.harrison (IP Logged)
Date: 05/07/2012 10:33
Waddayameanlikemarra!
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