Colts provide boost ahead of season
STRATFORD’s director of rugby Richard Pepperell admits he is optimistic ahead of the new season which starts on Saturday.
The Regional Two Midlands West side face league newcomers Ledbury at Pearcecroft and there could be several new faces involved.
Pepperell said: “I’m the most optimistic I have been at the start of a new season for many years. This is my sixth season and I was confident in the first one because we had just been relegated and I thought we could bounce back, which we did. But this is the most optimistic I’ve been since then.
“We have not lost any players and in addition to adding from other clubs, we have also had a good colts section who have now become seniors. They have trained well throughout the summer and have made a really good impact.
“We have probably had 12 of them training and although half are going off to uni, we will still have six new players. And for the first two or three games we will have them all before they head off so that will help to get us going.”
I think we can make an impact on the league. Worcester and Balsall and Berkswell have been relegated into our league and Whitchurch have been moved back into the league. They will be difficult as will the likes of Ludlow and Hereford.
It is good to have Shipston with us in the league again as we always have a good game with them and we start with Ledbury on Saturday which will be interesting because they have been promoted and will be used to winning games. If we don’t start well then their confidence will be up and we could be in for a tough afternoon. We need to start fast.
