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Until his wisdom tooth problem Allan had been looking fitter than ever and will be bursting for a game. In fact , he's not the only one. Tommy Barff [shoulder] and Henry Tones [hamstring] are both likely to be out for a few more weeks and are genuinely devastated. Like everyone else they know that there is now competition for places with Skipper Tim Sawyer impressing on the players this week that, unlike in previous seasons, nobody can take their places for granted anymore. Miss training, play badly, or get banned, and you could be fighting to regain your place. |
Henry Tones |
There have been two major changes this summer. |
| The new coaching duo is the main one, of course. Rod is a highly regarded coach and a firm no-nonsense manager. Players know exactly where they stand. They have already been taken to task for the lack of discipline which featured in more than a few matches last year ... as well as the Old Boys friendly. The more responsible attitude in the Tech game was no coincidence. | |
| Rod is also not afraid to fire in the
youngsters. He watched the Colts a few times last year
but has only seen the best of them in pre-season. Anth Carr [prop] and Carl Miller [lock/flanker] will undoubtedly get their chance as will Greg Edwards and Will Richardson in the back row - not to mention one or two others. |
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| In the backs the fast and skilful Martin Todd will probably get some runouts on the wing - rather than his customary full back. | Anth Carr |
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We could also see Paul Moss, who has a
great rugby brain and hands reminiscent of John Stabler. The fly half cum inside centre also has a goalkicking style borrowed straight from Jonny Wilkinson. Mossy is still only 17 but delighted the supporters at the Tech game with his role in several of the tries. |
| Mossy | Toddy | |
| The First and Stags will travel together to away games, which will help with team spirit and the enjoyment of match days. Kev Young's Under 18's are also training with the senior squad and developing well as a result. We should reap the dividends in the next few years. | |
| The
pressure for places is being well received by the
established first teamers. Skipper Sawyer and vice
captain Davy Tighe are taking their responsibilities
seriously and driving the lads on in training. Tim has
kept on going despite a niggling knee injury while Davy
has never looked fitter. The same can be said of Allan
Milne while Thommo is back on form after his injury
plagued past few seasons. We may have lost the Tank to Redcar but there can be few better centre parings in this league. Tom Steele has already shown he can provide solid cover. |
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Tim Sawyer |
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Its also a welcome return for Andrew Hare. Panda was poleaxed by a Tim Sawyer tackle last season [he also took out an opponent!] and has come back from Canada a little heavier but just as quick and agile. David Mullen impressed on the wing in the friendlies, while Tom Rance was suffering from holiday lag against Old Boys but showed a lot better against Tech.
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Panda |
Up front we are all looking forward to seeing a fitter Chummer show why he was an England schoolboy. |
| He is on a mission to lose a few more stones in competition with the dependable Gez Geritz to see who is the first to drop below the 20 stone mark! | |
| Paul Rudd is likely to continue to
partner Chocky in the second row. Garse looks like he is
heading for a career in the Fire Service and that means
we could lose him towards the end of the season when he
begins training. That will be a big loss as the Player of the Year is in awesome form at the moment and is the club's biggest hitter. Carl Miller is being groomed as a replacement second row whil Phil Gilbraith is also on a fitness mission and could be asked to fit in as a lock. |
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Garse |
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| The
back row is one area where we have lots of competition.
Ed Britton, the Durham University medical student, made a
big difference when he joined the club last year and is a
favourite to line up alongside Tim Sawyer in most games.
Henry Tones is doggedly
determined to fight for his place while Stuart Bennett
could be used as a second half impact player in many
games. Greg Edwards and Will Richardson have already impressed the coaches and will no doubt get their chance. There is no doubt that pre-season has gone well. There's young talent bursting for a chance and some experienced players responddng to that challenge. There'll no be no hiding place from the coach if anyone shows lack of effort or indiscipline. This squad will get better as the season develops. Quite what it can achieve remains to be seen but there is a sense of optimism among the lads themselves - and they are the ones who should know. |
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