Development Side Latest

By Dave Picken - February 13 2003
Development Side Latest
Sammy
A meeting is to be held in the next week or so to cement plans for a Development side for next season. The side will bridge the gap between the Under 18's and the first XV and will continue to be coached by Gary Miller and his team plus Sammy Hutton!

The popular West centre had to retire from the game after breaking a bone in his neck at the end of season 2001-2002.

He's now secured a job as a history teacher at Manor and is taking his rugby coaching courses. Sammy will be backs coach with the new side - an area where Gary Miller says they have been short of help for some time.

West stalwart Alan Coxon will help the side organise fixtures, but it has not yet been decided whether the side will turn out as Colts next season or as a development side.

That will be the focus of the meeting chaired by Les Smith.

He says: "Gary knows his lads best and we will meet and see what is best for them next year and then go out and seek fixtures accordingly.

"If the club is to progress we must provide top quality rugby for the lads coming through the junior ranks. We are very fortunate that the junior coaches are turning out some excellent prospects - not just at Under 18 level but in the sides below them as well."

Meanwhile another West junior is returning to the club. Winger Dave Mullen is expected to sign this week after a spell with Tech.