Saturday 10th August will be the first opportunity for the senior playing squad to get some competitive game time before the season gets underway in a month’s time. We will be travelling to Winnington Park who play at Level 7 and had an excellent 1st season at that level last year having been promoted the season before. This will be a good test for the boys and will allow me to have a real look at how our pre season programme has been and identify areas for improvement over the next month.

Further pre season fixtures see us travel to Caernarfon (17th August), West Park St Helen’s (22nd Aug) & Manchester on the 31st August. Four games as part of the pre season will provide players with plenty of opportunities to impress, gel but also develop a strong team spirit as we enter the season.

Pre-season training is going really well and I'm really happy with how we are looking in terms of our playing personnel and our ability to execute the structures and systems that are being asked off the players. We have a group of players that will have another year's experience under their belt and with a number of youngsters stepping up over pre season, there is a good mix to the playing squad and one that fills us with excitement for the long term future of the club.

We are well aware that North West 1 will prove to be a hugely competitive league again and we will be looking forward to some excellent games of rugby throughout the season. Given our completely amateur status, I am always proud of what we achieve on the pitch at this level and I know the boys are looking forward to another exciting year of fixtures.

The 2nd team will be looking to build on last years outstanding season and will be boosted by the availability of a strong contingent of our senior colts. We are very optimistic about what the 2s could achieve this year and I fully expect to see a number of lads transition from 2nd team to 1st team rugby throughout the season.

Having been in training now for 8 weeks, I can’t wait to see the lads in competitive action tomorrow and whilst the results over the next few weeks will mean very little to me (performance and execution of structures my preference) I know the lads are chomping at the bit to start the season well and will want nothing less than wins over the next few weeks.

It would be great to see a few of our loyal supporters, as well as welcoming any new supporters who want to follow a team that play attractive, free flowing rugby over the next few weeks also.

A Rob