The postponement of the game versus Tynedale means that ‘The Laiker’, our official programme, that was prepared for the match will now not see the light of day. Here is one such article that may be of interest to our members.
Rugby Review v Tynedale 30/10/21
By Gaz Lewis
Good afternoon everyone.
It seems a very long time since our last game against Tynedale which was the very last game before the lockdown in March 2020. On that occasion we were victorious, and the win was factored into the RFU formula used by their panel to determine the theoretical outcome of the five fixtures that had to be cancelled because of the pandemic. It was crucial in helping us to maintain our National 2 North status for this season.
Today’s game is equally important as we look to break our ‘duck’ and achieve our first home win of the season.
Last week at Chester we produced some excellent attacking rugby in the opening twenty minutes but defensively we underperformed. We must do much better, both individually and as a team and be much more resilient when we experience setbacks in our games.
The challenges posed by the COVID crisis continue to rumble on and beset us. Unfortunately, we are without our skipper Lewis Bradley today. He tested positive for the virus and is having to isolate. We all wish him well and hope that he suffers no truly ill effects and is soon back playing.
The knock-on effect of a positive test for a player is quite involved. Other players have had to take the PCR test and a massive amount of extra work has been created for our rugby administration team to make sure we comply with both the NHS and the RFU guidance in the matter. I would like to say a personal thank you to our rugby Chairman Paul Sharrock and all the other club staff for the hours they have put in to sort through it all.
I will be absent myself for our next game. I am having a hip replacement operation and thereafter will have to go through rehabilitation. No doubt I will find it all very frustrating, but I will just have to follow doctor’s orders and work my way back to fitness. In the meantime, I have total confidence in my fellow coaches, Neil Ryan and Rob Anderson who will take over the reins in my absence.
Enjoy the game.
Up the Field and all the best.
Gaz.
I’m sure I speak for at the club in wishing Gaz and Lewis all the best as they deal with their respective health issues. Also, in saying how fortunate we are in the UK in having such a wonderful NHS to help see us through. Ed.
