Cinderford Rugby Club looking ahead with confidence

Comments (0)

SAM Wilkes is back with Cinderford after a season with Championship side Ealing.

The hooker is one of 10 new signings as the ambitious club look to make a big improvement on last season’s showing in National One.

Wilkes is joined at the club by fellow new forward signings, hooker Dave Wheeler (Dings Crusaders), prop Jake Caulfield (Plymouth Albion) and back rowers Aaron Ryan (Old Patesians), Mike Uren (Dings Crusaders) and Rhys Luckwell (Clifton).

Four new backs have also signed for the club: centres James Butler (Old Patesians) and James Price (Hucclecote), wing Henry Bird (Old Redcliffians) and scrum-half Alex Haynes (unconnected).

Cinderford only pulled clear of relegation in the final couple of weeks of last season, finishing 11th in the 16-strong division, but are hoping for much better this time around in what will be their seventh season at the level.

The coaching set-up has also been overhauled with last season’s director of rugby Andy Deacon taking on the role of professional rugby manager.

Neil Loader is the new head coach and Deacon said: “We have retained a huge number of players this year which is encouraging and gives us a great platform to start our 2014 campaign from a position of strength.

“Energised by a new coaching team, the Cinderford regulars are looking forward to sharing their experience with some of the new guys coming on board.

“We have had great numbers at training and we are planning a training weekend in early August to bond the new and older faces.

“We are in talks with both Gloucester Rugby and Bristol RFC regarding dual registered player potentials.

“It’s also great to see the return of Sam Wilkes after a season playing championship rugby for Ealing.”

Loader added: “Cinderford had a progressive season last year and we have shown that we can compete

at the highest levels within the league.

“By extending the strength and depth of the squad we are equipped to start the new season where we left off and continue our growth.

“We are pleased to have a good influx of new talent to bolster the side and replace those players who have moved on.

“It’s testament to the club that a solid number from the squad have re-signed again and this retention of experienced players will give us stability and consistency to kick-start the new campaign.

“Our first league game is away to Esher followed by what will be a massive home derby against league newcomers Hartpury, which promises to be an epic game for the players and supporters.”

Meanwhile, Adam Balding has retired from playing.

The former Gloucester back row joined Cinderford last season and played a key role as they stayed up in National One.

Balding is an ambassador and event coordinator for the 2015 Rugby World Cup and the heavy demands on his time mean he is unable to train and play as much as he would like. Other players who have left Cinderford are: Will Davis (Ealing), Tom Bozzard (travelling), Ryan Charles (Matson), Tom Hicks (New Zealand), Will Keenan (New Zealand) and Reece Boughton (Chinnor).

Article source: http://www.espnscrum.com/wales/rugby/story/214477.html

Cinderford Rugby Club looking ahead with confidence