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Bridgwater and Albion get the 2018-19 South West One (West) campaign underway!

| 28/08/2018

Bridgwater and Albion get the 2018-19 South West One (West) campaign underway with an away fixture at Thornbury on Saturday.

 Ahead of the first match Geoff Sluman the Director of Rugby at Albion shared some of his thoughts.

 “We have had a really busy summer. Our pre-season training started in early July and that feels like a long time ago now. During the summer months we have changed our coaching structure and engaged Wayne Sprangle and Richard Bright as player coaches.  These two are supported by Carl Rimmer and Ollie Devoto from the Exeter Chiefs squad. 

 “The coaches have worked really hard and all of the players responded brilliantly which has meant we have changed just about everything in terms on moves and calls.

 “The guys have worked really hard on developing different game plans that can be deployed too and the players have really bought into what the coaches are doing. Our two pre-season matches have gone well and we are pleased with all of the preparations to date.

 Sluman looked ahead to the first batch of fixtures.

 The first month is quite a challenging one, the first game is on Saturday away at Thornbury where we have traditionally struggled on their slightly sloping pitch that they play very well on, and they are always a competitive side. 

 “Our second match is away to Hornets who were relegated from the league above so we will expect them to be strong too with the experience they have of playing at the higher level. Our first home match is on Saturday 15th September against Cullompton with two further fixtures in the month away to Devonport Services and finally home to Coney Hill. 

 “You can’t read too much into the first month’s results until a few sides have played each other and you consider the results of each you won’t be able to understand much. There is also still much that could change in terms of what players are available for all of the teams in September so that is another reason why we will not concern ourselves with the results of others.

 “In the first month but will be focusing on our style of play and how we start to deploy the new calls and game plans in competitive league situations.”

 Sluman then went on to talk about the the other teams at the club.

 Albion second team will be playing in Tribute Somerset One this season, and their campaign starts a week later on 08th September with an away fixture to Tor RFC. The third XV are playing in Tribute Somerset 2 South, and they will be the first team  playing league rugby at College Way with their opening fixture on Saturday 08th September at home to Minehead Barbarians II RFC.”

 Sluman added: “We are all eager for the season to start and we are ready to go. There is always more you can do to prepare but there comes a point when we want to play competitive league rugby to develop things further and we are at that point now. I would like to wish all the players and all of the teams all the best for the season, it will be great to be playing rugby again.”

 

Category: 1st XV News

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