As the second team have been out of action for a couple of weeks, due to the fixture schedule and a called-off game against Wath. In this matchday programme I want to shine a light on Freddie Lambert, who is becoming a key figure in the second team and is starting to make a very strong case for a first team shirt.
Lambert has made a fantastic start to this season. In the second team he’s played five times, scored three tries and picked up two player of the matches! He’s also got the call-up to play first team a couple of times and has given a good account of himself.
Freddie’s style is all action, all over the pitch and is a fantastic asset to the club.
Described by the opposition – “MOTM had to be Freddie, who was all over the park with some big hits”.
However, I couldn’t write a section on Freddie without discussing him occasionally dropping the ball when the try line is in sight! The unmistakable image of a cartoon like movement with his arms going above his head after a dropped pass. I do however think that if Freddie can tidy up this part of his game, he will be a fixture in the first team for years to come and is certainly a player to watch out for.
Extremely athletic, great defender, goes up in the line out, covers a lot of ground and most importantly he’s a great bloke - there is a lot to like from Mr. Freddie Lambert.

You've recently made the jump up to senior rugby at Sandal - how are you finding it? Exciting. It’s a new area to my game that I haven’t come across. In terms of open age rugby union this is one of the highest standards I’ve played. Technicality dictates my gameplay a lot more at this level, which highlights more on what I can improve on going forward. I am grateful for the opportunities as I’m always trying to better myself as well as helping others around me.

Second team rugby seems to have given you a solid foundation to express your skills and given you a platform to push for first team rugby. Who would you say has helped you most with your performances? I’d say our captain Will Henshall. Though I haven’t played as many minutes with him as the other lads, his technique and stats are what I aim for. It’s arguably the best in the league. I suppose it’s a mental game wherever I train with or against him, as my long-term goal at this club is to wear his number (7), consistently. I’m a while off yet, but I have high standards, so I will stick to them. I’m motivated by my own aspirations. However, in terms of learning the game and how to be successful at this level, Will’s helped a lot.

Playing rugby at QEGS and University - how does Sandal's standard compare to your school and university days? Playing at QEGS and having the opportunity to play at prestigious festivals such as St. Joseph’s, Rosslyn Park 7s, and Sedbergh 10s gave me a snippet of what was to come with university rugby. My experience in university rugby is that it’s 100mph at all times in terms of game play and fitness levels within the team. I love expansive rugby, which is how my university plays. And I think when we (Sandal) come across a team that’s predominantly university students; it can be challenging. I think it’s great to put both styles of rugby against each other. To conclude, Sandal’s standard has experience, people that know the game inside and out. University is full of people eager to learn the game, whilst driving others around them.

You played in the Yorkshire NE Premiership final a couple of seasons ago against Wharfedale - is this your best moment in a Sandal shirt so far and if not, what is? By far my favourite game in a Sandal shirt! It proved to everyone that we have a high standard of rugby across both teams. With it being my third game for Sandal, and whilst I was still trying to get along with the lads, it really helped me out from a social perspective when we were supporting each other on the pitch that day because it was a tough old game. I hope I gained their respect that day too!

You've represented Wakefield Trinity throughout the academy - what have you been able to take from the other code and implemented into your union game? Playing consistently in the academy, and training four times a week embeds the rugby league code in your head to a T. Regardless of how much you play/have played union. Positively, I’ve been able to take the aggression from my game with my line speed and footwork, which has helped in attack and defence a ton. With that aggression I have struggled at times in my first season at Sandal to keep my tackle height low. Moving fast off the line can sometimes come with consequence. Ie. A penalty for high tackles! I am now just focusing on driving back and gaining meters, but after a penalty (or two) later, I’d like to think I’ve found a good balance between aggression and technicality.

Away from the rugby pitch! What are you studying for and what's your aims off the pitch? I am currently on my placement year working as a year out construction manager for a main contractor in Leeds. After this year of work, I will aim to finish my construction management degree at Leeds Beckett university and look to see what the future holds!

And a final question from Second team captain, George Hulme... Do you drop the ball more on a rugby pitch or on Tinder? None of your business Hulmey, but I’d have to say Tinder! :(