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1st XV - Team News
Head coaches thoughts on the season.
After Dino Radice’s first season as Head coach, we caught up with him to get his thought’s.
Have you enjoyed your first season as Head coach?
“Yes and no really. There has been a lot that I have been really happy with, I have had great support from Chris Hayton, Andy Toms, Mark Bullen and Mark Taylor and I thank them for that. However the downside has been some player’s attitude and professionalism. The more I think about the season the more I realise we were unprepared as a squad, I have learnt a hell of a lot this season and I won’t make the same mistakes again.”
At the start of the season you said you would be looking for a top 3 finish, are you satisfied that you finished in fifth?
“No, not at all. We finished higher than last year, we secured more points and our defensive record was excellent. We were good enough to win the league, if not win the league then finish at least second, we didn’t and that was down to attitudes rather than ability.”
What has the highlight of the season been for you?
“A highlight was Old Aldwinians at home, I think at the time they were second in the table and we were third, we played some great running rugby and won comfortably. Another highlight was the home win against Kirkby Lonsdale. Kirkby had just recruited a number of players to push for promotion and we beat them 24 -7.”
What has been the low point of the season?
“The lowest point of the season by a country mile was Fleetwood at home, Fleetwood were flying high at the top of the table, they came to Ramsgreave Drive. We scored within the first 10 minutes, we then went straight back down to their try line, we got a penalty on the 5 metre line, then one of our players was penalised and was binned and the penalty was reversed, we then imploded from there on in. We shot ourselves in the foot, we lost that game, Fleetwood didn’t win it.”
Would you do anything differently?
“Yes, very much so. We need to have a squad who’s member’s have a will to win. It will be a lot different next season, the attitude in training must be different and that will then reflect on the pitch on a Saturday. We need to recruit, but not recruit for superstars, instead we need to recruit for rugby players with the right attitude, who have that will to win. Also the team needs to reflect my love, passion and enthusiasm for rugby, we have not seen that enough this season. We need the ethos next season to be mine.
When do you start work for next season?
“Planning has already started, we have had a pre-season meeting and pre-season training will probably start 26th June, with possibly a team meeting the week before that. Recruitment is in full swing.”
“I would just like to add a special thank you for all their help and support to Martin Hallam, Ray Pemberton and Dave Morris a legend and a friend. Finally I would like to wish Nick Rhodes, Ste Bibby, former captain PJ Millea and especially Luke Copping, all the best as they head for new pastures.”
“Yes and no really. There has been a lot that I have been really happy with, I have had great support from Chris Hayton, Andy Toms, Mark Bullen and Mark Taylor and I thank them for that. However the downside has been some player’s attitude and professionalism. The more I think about the season the more I realise we were unprepared as a squad, I have learnt a hell of a lot this season and I won’t make the same mistakes again.”
At the start of the season you said you would be looking for a top 3 finish, are you satisfied that you finished in fifth?
“No, not at all. We finished higher than last year, we secured more points and our defensive record was excellent. We were good enough to win the league, if not win the league then finish at least second, we didn’t and that was down to attitudes rather than ability.”
What has the highlight of the season been for you?
“A highlight was Old Aldwinians at home, I think at the time they were second in the table and we were third, we played some great running rugby and won comfortably. Another highlight was the home win against Kirkby Lonsdale. Kirkby had just recruited a number of players to push for promotion and we beat them 24 -7.”
What has been the low point of the season?
“The lowest point of the season by a country mile was Fleetwood at home, Fleetwood were flying high at the top of the table, they came to Ramsgreave Drive. We scored within the first 10 minutes, we then went straight back down to their try line, we got a penalty on the 5 metre line, then one of our players was penalised and was binned and the penalty was reversed, we then imploded from there on in. We shot ourselves in the foot, we lost that game, Fleetwood didn’t win it.”
Would you do anything differently?
“Yes, very much so. We need to have a squad who’s member’s have a will to win. It will be a lot different next season, the attitude in training must be different and that will then reflect on the pitch on a Saturday. We need to recruit, but not recruit for superstars, instead we need to recruit for rugby players with the right attitude, who have that will to win. Also the team needs to reflect my love, passion and enthusiasm for rugby, we have not seen that enough this season. We need the ethos next season to be mine.
When do you start work for next season?
“Planning has already started, we have had a pre-season meeting and pre-season training will probably start 26th June, with possibly a team meeting the week before that. Recruitment is in full swing.”
“I would just like to add a special thank you for all their help and support to Martin Hallam, Ray Pemberton and Dave Morris a legend and a friend. Finally I would like to wish Nick Rhodes, Ste Bibby, former captain PJ Millea and especially Luke Copping, all the best as they head for new pastures.”
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