Moving into August with only a few weeks away from another season of competitive rugby Burnley are well underway for the week in week out season that lies ahead. Putting out three senior teams this season numbers at summer training has been reasonable but more are always welcome.

Now into the holiday season numbers are still averaging around 20 with over 50 different players attending at least one session. As reported last month when we reported a friendly against Halifax on Thursday 13th August at Home 7pm Kick off 22 Burnley lads have confirmed to have a run out. The club have now secured a second friendly this time a Saturday (Home ) a week before the cup weekend on the 22nd of August against Ormskirk. Last year we just lost to them in the cup, and this year we will do battle in the league. This match will help more Burnley players show what they are about prior to the season and help the lads who miss the Halifax game get some competitive rugby before the season proper.

Behind the sees the club have registered, Lee Ferrier, Chris Pickles, Dec Hutchinson and Ben Simes, with others hopefully rejoining the club and a couple of signings in August to bolster the senior squads.

Lee Ferrier - plays on the wing and has played through Burnley Juniors, at college age he went off to Mysercough to study and play the game, with last year taking a break from the sport has returned this pre season and looks sharp.

Chris Pickles - another youngster to play right through junior rugby and when 17/18 years of age was about to move into senior rugby then a knee injury kept him out of the game for two seasons. Picking up his fitness week on week this young lad will add competition in the front row. When not cutting the grass at Burnley Football Club. Chris also gives his time back to the club as Junior U12's / U11's Coach.

Dec Hutchinson - Hooker / Prop again a production of Burnleys healthy Junior section the last couple of years he has has been studying at Loughborough University but this season he has a work placement back at local firm Fort Vale so he comes to his club to challenge for a place, improving each week with his fitness he should be a solid addition to the squad.

Ben Simes - again a front row player who has returned to the game after a couple of years away.Ben is slowly working his way back in, using both senior touch and touch rugby through this summer to get himself back involved with the club and sport.

On the back of these Jack Stockdale, back row, should be fit after couple of injury hit seasons.

Overall it had been a good July now lads it is time to push on, you know if youve not done much training but with a full month to theirs still time to get up get up to speed. With the World Cup very nearly on us whilst our playing season runs if you have tickets and will be missing any Saturdays please let a captain, myself or playing sec Gus know ASAP so we can prepare for a few weekends of low numbers, whatever level you wish to play at.

August Key Dates -

Training Tuesday & Thursday at the club meet 6-50pm start 7pm sharp
Training Monday Morning 9-30am for those who cant attend the evening sessions .
Match Halifax Home - Thurs 13th August 7pm ko
Match Ormskirk Home - Sat 22nd August
Potential Cup Match - Bank Holiday Saturday 29th August
Inter - Club Fun 7's - Bank Holiday Sunday 30th August. ( 8 Volunteer Captains required - let Simon know and then he will give you some players).

report by Simon Finnan