Following on from last year’s Pre-Season successful match, Burley will once again be holding an inter-club fixture on Saturday 1st August. It will be between two teams of mixed ability (not 1st XV vs 2nd XV or any combination of this), one side will be captained by 1st XV Captain James Langtree and the other will be captained by 2nd XV Captain Andrew Kanabar. Both will be ably assisted by the various vice-captains from both teams I’m sure.

Pre-match meet time is 1315 for all players so to allow ample time for changing, warm up, and team organisation before the kick-off of 1500. It is absolutely imperative (as it was last year) that we get at least 30 players down so to get two full sides out so that Coaches Leeman and Wider can get a full look at everybody and make it a worthwhile fixture. Those who play in technical positions such as the front row will also be needed in bounteous amounts so to allow for competitive scrums. The match will of course be full contact and played under full rugby union rules. All players new and old are encouraged to take part, even those that have yet to make an appearance at training! Post-match there will be a BBQ and the club will be open for all players, family members, and social members to have a few drinks while regaling tails of (mis)adventures past.

Please make your availability known to either James Langtree on 07506090568 or Andrew Kanabar on 07917074412 ASAP.

With regards to Pre-Season training; it is well underway. Under sweltering conditions attendance and work rate so far has been excellent. New players have already started to show up with many ‘older heads’ yet to return. Obviously numbers can always be better (despite consistently being in the mid to high 20s on both Tuesdays and Thursdays) so all new players are welcome and returning players are encouraged to attend as the maroons look to build two strong teams for the coming season. Based on what has been seen so far it bodes well for the 2015/16 season. Training continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1830 and will includes both elements of fitness and ball skills.

So to conclude Pre-Season continues and on Saturday August 1st there will be an inter-club fixture which all players are strongly encouraged to play.

Many thanks for reading, I wish you all a good summer, and I hope to see you all (new and old) soon.