Rugby chief’s high hopes as squad returns for training

DIRECTOR of rugby Richard Pepperell believes the restructured Regional Two West Midlands will give Stratford real optimism they can challenge for glory next season.

The RFU has revamped the division with seven new clubs, including neighbours Shipston moving across from the South West division, and Pepperell couldn’t be happier with the geographical restructuring.

It will mean less travelling for the Black and Whites and players will no longer have to give up the whole of their Saturday for lengthy away trips to clubs such as Crewe or Whitchurch. Last season they faced three away days of journeys of more than 150 miles.

“It’s going to be the best league we’ve played in for many a year, especially with the travelling,” said Pepperell.

“The map has changed. Last year if you looked at the clubs in the league, it was centred around Walsall/Wolverhampton and that meant trips up the M6. Now it’s centred around Worcester.

“Our closest fixture was Droitwich and now it’s Shipston and we’ll also have teams like Berkswell and Balsall and Stow. We won’t have players having to leave home to meet up at 10am for an away game and not getting back until 9pm. Hopefully that will put less stress on players’ weekends.

“It’s great for the travelling and hopefully great for the local rivalries and great for the league.”

Stratford ended last season in fourth place with a run of five wins in their final six games and Pepperell hopes they can push on again.

“I’m really optimistic about what we can do,” he added.

“There’s a really good chance we can go and make a big impact in the league. We want to be pushing right for the top, rather than thinking about survival or settling for mid-table.”

The new season starts on 2nd September, with Stratford away to Cheltenham. Shipston start their campaign at home to Worcester.