Last weekend was another great one for the club. The First XV cemented third place in the London & SE league with a good win at Sutton & Epsom, The Seconds won away at Medway, and both Academy teams chalked up wins with the Firsts in the National Cup. Well done to all involved.
We now face a big week ahead of us as both the First and Second XVs prepare for the short trip to Tunbridge Wells. The players always relish this local derby knowing it will be a tough contest with a victory over our nearest of rivals, if earned, particularly sweet.
Squad preparation this week will build on all of the good elements of last week’s performances, but also looking for improvement with the Firsts in particular concentrating on discipline and reducing what was a heavy penalty and yellow card count arounds the tackle area at Sutton & Epsom.
Inevitably at this time of the season we begin to see injuries with Josh Pettet joining Nigel Gumbleton as a long term absentee. We will also be without Jack Nay for one more week, a concussion protocol following a collision against Brighton. Also with Ryan Hackett injuring his knee against S&E, we once again see the importance of squad depth. Changes to the team to play Tunbridge Wells will see the return of George Flatman to the bench, with Sean Derrick starting at 8. The back line this week sees Shadyn Osgood come into the squad to start at 13, Awa Morris moving to the wing, Jonny Short set to make an impact from the bench, and Drew Forrester dropping to the 2nd XV.
The Senior Squad are building momentum nicely as the season progresses. There are some key season defining fixtures in November and December but you all know I like a good sports cliche, so we WILL be taking one game at a time……. and that game is Tunbridge Wells! All support will be welcome as you zip down the A21 and hunt for a parking space near St Marks Recreation Ground.
An exciting weekend ahead!
