Now that the league season is over, we turn our attention to the Papa John’s Cup.
The league season was very much a tale of two halves which saw us finishing 9th. Disappointing given the start we had; however, it has given us a lot of learnings to push on with.
I must give personal thanks to all the players who have represented the senior squads this year for all their effort and commitment. Equally, a huge congratulations to those who have graduated from the academy and have made their senior debuts. A record number compared to previous years.
Sadly, as with any year, a number of players have called time on their playing careers namely Austen Thompson, James Stewart and Alex Edler (myself). All three who have captained the side during their time with us and will leave a big hole to fill.
Austen is a home-grown talent and despite a brief spell at Huddersfield to push himself in the national leagues has been a mainstay of the 1st XV and has been the scourge of every side he has come up against. He quite simply is irreplaceable as you don’t find many people who are physically capable of what he can do.
James ‘Jimmy’ Stewart is another stalwart of the last 15 or so years and a true one club man. Starting in the second row having moved up from the 2nd team in his earlier years of senior rugby he has cemented himself in the back row over the past few years with his incredible work rate and ability in the lineout.
To all three players, an enormous thank you for everything you have contributed to the club!
Onto today and we welcome Syston who were champions of the midlands league and will be formidable opponents. The firm book goes out of the window in the cup, and we relish the opportunity to play a side we have never faced before.
This year the cup is a ‘knockout’ with the winners of each round progressing towards a Twickenham final.
As always, and hopefully not for the final time, thank you for all your support this season and we hope to hear you in full voice this afternoon!
Alex Edler