Gravesend Rugby Club set to make National League bow
Comments |
Gravesend Rugby Club break new
ground on Saturday when they play their first National League game
– and with a new coach in charge.
After winning London 1 South last season, Gravesend begin their
National League 3 London & South East campaign with a trip to
Norfolk to meet North Walsham.
Paul Hathaway, Gravesend’s new head
coach following Bob Hussey’s departure to Dover, is setting the bar
high for his players in terms of the club’s targets for the
season.
The former Sevenoaks and Tunbridge
Wells coach said: "Our aim is not merely to make up numbers in
National 3 but to establish ourselves as a serious contender and
finish as far up the league as possible – at least in the top
five.
"We believe we have the playing
strength and ability to compete in this league.
"The reality is that Gravesend are
one of the top four clubs in Kent and we intend to prove that this
season."
Hathaway said that Gravesend’s
success over the past two seasons had made it easier for the club
to attract fresh blood during the summer.
The new players include Neville
Boyd, Frankie Fenwick-Wilson and Vatu Raratuba, all of whom have
played for the Army and are based at Chattenden Barracks near
Wainscott.
Gravesend have also brought in two
players from Australia who have played at a higher level, Keepa
Mewett and Liam Dwyer, and returning to the Rectory Field from
university and elsewhere are Will Ballard, Nathan Lines, Chris
Anstey, Rory Maddox, Andy Harris and Junior Rocket.
However, two of the club’s regulars
from last season’s line-up, Rob Hussey and Dan Abbey, have been
lost. Hathaway said: "Their loss will be lessened by the arrival of
the new players and having strength in depth is great for the club
and the impact will be felt by all our teams."
Wednesday, September 01 2010
The KM Group does not moderate comments.
Please click here for our house rules.