Match Preview

Saturday see’s the start of a new league season in the newly named Midlands Premier League. Bournville are the visitors to Bradwall Road for the opening game, having been promoted last year from Midland 1 West, having won in a playoff against Kettering. Bournville are no newcomers to rugby at Level 5 however, having only being regulated from it a couple of seasons ago. Bournville are based at the Edgbaston Campus of the University of Birmingham and traditionally have had a number of students from there in the squad and this generally has influenced a more expansive style of play, than perhaps some other teams in the league over the years.

Sandbach will be hoping to build on encouraging performances over the last fortnight but already have a few injury doubts as a result of these, with wing forward Josh Longson already out following a hamstring injury last week. The influence of new coaches Sale Sharks players Rob Webber and Byron McGuigan is already showing positive signs and they will be hoping to see further improvement as the weeks progress. Expect an entraining game.