Post by Jamie Crawford on Aug 18, 2015 10:49:44 GMT
Our second pre-season game is the first home game against familiar foe from seasons past, the ambitious Sedgley Park. Sedge have a new new coach ex-England International Dean Schofield; he will be keen to get off to a winning start. Ex-player at London Welsh last season, Schofield will combine playing for Leeds Carnegie with coaching the Tigers. Griff has recent past experience of coaching Sedge and so knows the players and coaching staff well.
At the end of last season both Hull Ionians and Ampthill were promoted to National 1 from National 2 North, so Sedg did well to come third. Ampthill beat Bishops Stortford, who finished second in National 2 South. Henley Hawks finished top of Nat 2 South and so gained automatic promotion.
As mentioned the Tigers finished the 2014/15 National 2 North campaign in third and will be one of the favourites to reach promotion to National One in this new season. On paper a more difficult test to ease the Knights into their playing style following their emphatic 0 – 68 win over Hull. Last season’s leading try-scorer Latu Makaafi is starting the season as he ended last season, top try-scorer with Tyson Lewis after both players scored a brace of tries against Hull.
Commenting on the fixture Clive said. “Sedgley are very ambitious to get into National One next season and will arrive at Castle Park wanting to prove their credentials.”
The boys weren’t pushed hard by Hull, beating them 0 – 68. It was an impressive performance that saw some well executed try-scoring moves with a resolute defence.
The Tigers are a step up from Hull; not Championship standard yet but more intense to ease the boys into Championship competitive rugby.
On Friday 14th August London Welsh beat Esher 19 – 45 at Molesey road. OK Esher are in National 1 not National 3 North like Hull but still a less resounding victory than the Knights’. I’m more impressed with our win and any team could work a few moves to slip in a score but Hull didn’t manage to, which indicates a solid Knights defence.
On Saturday 22nd August the Welsh play at Butts Park Arena against Coventry. Cov. finished a comfortable third in National 1 season, 15 points below second-placed Rosslyn Park but 22 points above fourth-placed Fylde.
The signs are promising that Griff has recruited well but we should be used to that!
At the end of last season both Hull Ionians and Ampthill were promoted to National 1 from National 2 North, so Sedg did well to come third. Ampthill beat Bishops Stortford, who finished second in National 2 South. Henley Hawks finished top of Nat 2 South and so gained automatic promotion.
As mentioned the Tigers finished the 2014/15 National 2 North campaign in third and will be one of the favourites to reach promotion to National One in this new season. On paper a more difficult test to ease the Knights into their playing style following their emphatic 0 – 68 win over Hull. Last season’s leading try-scorer Latu Makaafi is starting the season as he ended last season, top try-scorer with Tyson Lewis after both players scored a brace of tries against Hull.
Commenting on the fixture Clive said. “Sedgley are very ambitious to get into National One next season and will arrive at Castle Park wanting to prove their credentials.”
The boys weren’t pushed hard by Hull, beating them 0 – 68. It was an impressive performance that saw some well executed try-scoring moves with a resolute defence.
The Tigers are a step up from Hull; not Championship standard yet but more intense to ease the boys into Championship competitive rugby.
On Friday 14th August London Welsh beat Esher 19 – 45 at Molesey road. OK Esher are in National 1 not National 3 North like Hull but still a less resounding victory than the Knights’. I’m more impressed with our win and any team could work a few moves to slip in a score but Hull didn’t manage to, which indicates a solid Knights defence.
On Saturday 22nd August the Welsh play at Butts Park Arena against Coventry. Cov. finished a comfortable third in National 1 season, 15 points below second-placed Rosslyn Park but 22 points above fourth-placed Fylde.
The signs are promising that Griff has recruited well but we should be used to that!
