Well here we are 1st game of the league season, all the pre season done, all the hard yards in fitness training, the drills and run throughs are complete, just the small matter of giving WSM an ass kicking.
The Vibe from the club has been really positive all summer, as soon Danny Thomas was approached and confirmed as Head Coach, I for one have been excited about this season will progress.
We have lost a few and gained a few, losing our ever present Kiwi Simon Watkins leaves a big hole in the centre of pitch not just in performance but also in character, if anybody else except Phil could be relied on to drag players up it was Simon. Still not entirely sure what is happening with Fats, so it will be a new centre pairing and from what I saw of Josh Squire and Tom Pearce it is an exciting new combination.
Losing Jack Elliott and Neil Giddy is definitely a big blow, but Joe Wearne has been putting the performances to suggest he can step up, and Jamie Tripcony is big signing and big presence at the back of the scrum.
I am a bit gutted I can't make it tomorrow, small matter of my sisters wedding, so I will be watching my phone at opportune moments to try and get updates, then when I get the results I will be drinking into the night or slightly grumpy in the corner.
We have had some ding dong battles over the last couple of years with WSM, beating them twice in our first season in Nat3SW, but losing two tight games last year, so it should be tight. It looked for a while like WSM were losing their very influential 8 to big spending Taunton, but he decided to come back which is a shame for us, apart from that what little I can find on the web is, the two kiwis they had have gone back, but they have gained 2 -3 from around the local sides. They have certainly lost the fly half that kicked us out of the game at home, which is a big plus for us.
Around the league, some huge games are taking place in what has to one of the most competitive leagues at this level, Bournemouth are up at Redingensians, both who sound bullish about their prospects according to their local press and Hartbury who will have the championship credentials tested by Cleve, who as always are complete unknown, I can never find any information on them, but they are always very competitive.
Another mention has to go to Newton Abbott, who take their bow at this level for the first time, very interesting to see how they go.
Can't wait for tomorrow, gutted I can't be there, but really looking forward to writing about a victory on Sunday!
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