Midlands Premier latest
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Forum Name: Regional 1
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Topic: Midlands Premier latest
Posted By: Penda
Subject: Midlands Premier latest
Date Posted: 19 May 2020 at 15:43
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Sandbach As has been well reported Rob Webber has retired as a player
following a distinguished career which included 16 England caps. The next stage
in his coaching career will be to take up the role of Forwards Coach with Championship
side Jersey Reds. He leaves Sandbach after 3 years where his influence as a
Coach has been significant and lasting. We wish him all the best in the next
stage of his career. Current attack coach Matt Bebbington steps up to Head Coach,
a role he is well familiar with, having successfully held that role at National
2 Sedgley Tigers. Andy Bird will take over as Director of Rugby, coordinating
the advancement of rugby across the club, leading on the development of the
club’s junior coaches, identifying and helping to develop talented players, to
enable them to progress through the club and beyond. To replace Web’s undoubted expertise in forward play, Sandbach are
delighted to welcome player coach- Nathan Rushton to the coaching team, who
like Matt and Andy is a specialised teacher of rugby, being Head of Rugby at
Wilmslow High School. Nathan joins us from Sedgley Tigers and has represented
Cheshire and Lancashire at senior and junior level. Last year he was Head Coach
of Cheshire U20s, as well as working with the North of England U20s coaching
team and being a Level 3 qualified rugby coach. Nathan has played at National 2
level with Caldy, before moving to Sedgley Tigers. Nathan will also be well known to several of the Sandbach
squad, having played with them last summer for Cheshire, where he started at
loose-head prop in their Bill Beaumont County Championship Division One final
appearance against Cornwall. John Whittaker We are delighted to confirm that prop John returns to us after
playing in National 1 and 2 for the last two years with Caldy, where he was a key
player in their unbeaten season in National 2 North. John came up through our
mini junior section and has County, Divisional and England Counties Honours at
18’s and 20’s. Kostja Vezanovs and Tom Poole
Both these lads played for us last year on loan and proved
to be excellent additions to the squad. It’s great news that they have this
year joined the club on a permanent basis. They will add to our already
promising front row resources for the upcoming season. |
Replies:
Posted By: Richmids
Date Posted: 23 May 2020 at 16:12
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Nuns have announced Geraint Davies as coach for the coming season.
I guess the big question is when will the season begin with the current situation. How does everyone feel there team will do? For the Nuns I think it will be another mid-table finish, good enough to stay up but just missing that little bit to challenge the top. Really looking forward to this season and this term will look to go to.some of the away games as Burton will be in there new ground and heard Paviors ground is nice. A few localish sides so think will try get my fill this season however it pans out so make sure see the Nuns as much as possible and get some good road trips in.
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Posted By: Dagfish
Date Posted: 23 May 2020 at 23:01
| Has anyone seen confirmation of the make-up of the league yet? Do we officially know which teams are being level transferred in from the North? I've seen it for National 1&2, and for Midlands 4 West (S), but nothing in between. |
Posted By: 'Hopper
Date Posted: 24 May 2020 at 10:15
According to the North Premier website, this is their draft line up, if this helps at all. LEVEL 5 NORTH PREMIER Otley Preston Macclesfield Sandal Billingham Blackburn Lymm Kirkby Lonsdale Rossendale Wirral Alnwick Burnage Northwich York ------------- What if the Hokey Kokey really IS what it's all about? |
Dagfish wrote:Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 24 May 2020 at 11:38
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In that case we can only assume that Sandbach, Sheffield and Doncaster have volunteered for the Midlands again - I was thinking there may be some interest from Macclesfield and Northwich as the travelling would appear to be much less but there is nothing on their websites to suggest there are any such thoughts
OR It's still very much up in the air and nothing decided as yet Remember under normal circumstances we would only just have finished the current season, what with play offs and county games etc so perhaps we are all being a bit premature/eager/desperate with our assumptions
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Posted By: Oldman1
Date Posted: 24 May 2020 at 11:52
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Thatbloke, my understanding ( COVID19 still may have an influence) is that the three clubs you mention are playing in the Midlands again. No midlands clubs have "gone south or west". Bournville have been promoted, Kettering and Peterborough Lions relegated. This means the league consists of Scunny (relegated), Newport , Sheffield, Bridgenorth, Sandbach, Bromsgrove, Donny P, Nuneaton, Burton, Paviours, Broadstreet, Dudley K, Syston and Oundle. RFU published final league positions some time ago. Final position based on played matches plus average points calculation from remaining matches. Third promotion place given to second place finisher with most league points scored.
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Posted By: Dagfish
Date Posted: 24 May 2020 at 12:11
I was going to say yes, that implies that Sandbach, Sheffield & Doncaster Poenix remain in the Midlands for another season as expected. But reading the entire document on the Northern RFU site, it seems that this is before any level transfers have been carried out, and in some cases teams haven't even been returned to their home region (Middlesbrough & Acklam still showing in Durham/Northumberland 1, when one of them clearly needs to return to Yorkshire 1). So, while it is clearly a good attempt, I don't believe it is final confirmation of what we can anticipate next season. Perhaps the issue is that we just don't know how long the season will be, and what the overall structure wil look like, never mind which teams will be playing in which league. If for instance it was impossible to start playing again until January, how would you fit in an entire season of 14 clubs. Perhaps a temporary smaller structure would be on the cards if this were to be the case - hence the delay in any announcement. (I'm not saying that this will be the situation - just considering all the options).
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Posted By: Richmids
Date Posted: 28 May 2020 at 13:50
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I have not seen anything for next season yet but as say guess due to the virus as not sure when they will begin again.
It is around June the fixtures are released normally? Guess just have to wait see if hear anything around then
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Posted By: Fudgepacker
Date Posted: 28 May 2020 at 15:28
The NCA yesterday advised all clubs at levels 3 & 4 that no fixture lists will be released by them until after the June RFU Council Meeting because Council needs to decide what will happen in the various potential scenarios that could apply next season (delayed start, play half a season, promotion, relegation, etc). I imagine other leagues will follow their lead.
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Posted By: Patch
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2020 at 08:27
| Looks like Broadstreet have been busy rebuilding and raiding. They seem to have announced a new signing every few days for the past month or so. A number from Rugby Lions and various junior clubs. |
Posted By: Richmids
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2020 at 08:56
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Nuns have been a little quiet but have confirmed the coaching team for next season with Geraint carrying on from last season.
Cannot wait for the season to begin again whenever it will be.
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Posted By: Richmids
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2020 at 11:31
Nuns have confirmed Tom Cheney will be captain next season and they have re-signed Ed Taplin, Ben Cooper and Aaron Skyme with more announcements soon of more players who are staying onboard 
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Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 04 Jul 2020 at 12:20
| Pop onto the Burton site - 23 signings to date (All new - not existing players signing on to stay!) |
Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2020 at 11:54
Wow, that is a lot of signings! ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Richmids
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2020 at 16:21
That is fair few signings, looking forward to the season and see how the promoted sides get on as well
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Posted By: Wit Ball
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2020 at 17:14
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When you sign 23 new players what happens to all of last year's 1st team, assume many will not be too happy about the prospect of playing for the 2's ? ------------- Never happened in my day |
Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 05 Jul 2020 at 17:51
| It is an exciting time for Burton, having moved to their new facilities so an attractive proposition for players in the wider locality. There is no suggestion that all these new signings have been 'recruited' or indeed are 'shoe-ins' for the 1st XV - good to hear a view from Burton? |
Posted By: Penda
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2020 at 14:43
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Lots of grumbling last year (inside the club and out) about Sandbach raising its admission to £10 for non members/visitors. Yesterday's AGM decided to retain the £10 but that will also include a voucher to the value of a pint at the bar. So, in effect, admission will now be £6.50 which will, of course, include our excellent programme.
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Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2020 at 18:05
| Penda - That's one way to get rid of the "slops" 😂😂(Is that just a Northern word or recognized the World over?) |
Posted By: Penda
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2020 at 18:18
| Dammit you've sussed us and our 'special' pump.😉 |
Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2020 at 18:39
| As far as I am aware you don't need a pump to serve "slops"?? |
Posted By: club1870
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2020 at 18:53
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It is true Burton have recruited a lot of players but they are of mixed ability and some have potential with an eye on the future. We have also welcomed back a few lads who have returned from university or fell back in love with rugby and some who have played for junior clubs whilst working their way back from injury. We have always attracted players during the close season but due to COVID-19 and any lack of rugby activity we decided to use social media and make it public to generate some interest. As far as I know all of the squad from last season has been retained with the exception of one lad who is joining the army and another who wants to concentrate on university rugby. Of the new recruits there will definitely be a few that will shake things up and break into the 1st XV which hopefully will build on our past two seasons at level 5. Our aim is no longer to survive but now to compete and be in the top half of the table with ambitions of promotion and National 2 being the ultimate goal. We have also now moved from Peel Croft to our new home on the outskirts of town with building scheduled to start on the new cub house, changing rooms, conference facilities and gym in the next few weeks. It’s an exciting time at Burton and we are looking forward to getting back to some rugby (whenever that may be). |
Posted By: Penda
Date Posted: 06 Jul 2020 at 21:06
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Posted By: ballbag
Date Posted: 08 Jul 2020 at 16:19
| Phoenix have a few new faces; among them is hooker / prop Jack Bergmanas who has signed from Rotherham Titans - who he joined after spending 6 years with Doncaster Knights. |
Posted By: cobbler
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2020 at 22:33
So what will the facilities at the new location comprise for the first part of the season (whenever that might be}? Portacabins? |
Posted By: Wit Ball
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2020 at 08:53
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All the best in your new home and looking forward to our visit next season if and when it happens. ------------- Never happened in my day |
Posted By: One For The Ditch
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2020 at 12:56
| Looking forward to visiting when we can and enjoying a jar (or two) of your well kept bitter! |
Posted By: Penda
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2020 at 21:43
| As it happens we've just started with a new local brewery, Merlin at Arclid and very good their product is too. Like to support local business. |
Posted By: Thatbloke
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2020 at 22:25
| What are their "slops" like? |
Posted By: Penda
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2020 at 12:02
It's so good there are none.
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Posted By: One For The Ditch
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2020 at 12:25
About £5.00 a pint (£10.00 entry but you get a beer token too)
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Posted By: Penda
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2020 at 16:39
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Fixtures |
Posted By: Friendly prop
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2020 at 19:50
I don't suppose for one minute there'll be a hoarding round the ground and advertisement in the programme of theirs will there  PS Look forward to standing on your Bell end 1st game should it happen.
------------- "Animo concipere non possum quo palto hoc pervease exeat." |
Posted By: Richmids
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2020 at 20:14
Thanks Penda for the fixtures. Fingers crossed season will start in September and it is a full season, but will go for anything at the moment 
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Posted By: Patch
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2020 at 08:53
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Huge signing at Newport:
After great news of our 99 year lease for the show ground, we have more exciting news to give you. Please welcome Akapusi Qera, 65 caps for @fijirugby and ex Toulouse, Montpellier and @gloucesterrugby. He joins us as a player coach for the 1st team squad. Welcome to the PORT Q https://t.co/Tfu9z2C93l" rel="nofollow - https://t.co/Tfu9z2C93l
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Posted By: ballbag
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2020 at 10:04
Another Marcelo Bosch, or is he actually going to play? If so I'm glad we're in the northern conference
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Posted By: Richmids
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2020 at 14:25
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Looking forward to see him this coming season! I am hoping the conferences start and then during the season the situation changes so then the rest of the fixtures open up
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Posted By: Penda
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2020 at 11:55
Big signing that lads
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Posted By: Richmids
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2020 at 10:23
| No updates on when the season will start but see the Premiership are going to trial a game with fans |
Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2020 at 11:00
Although teams will need fans to survive, the biggest problem is not crowds but the physical contact aspect of rugby. Without regular testing (as done at the top level, but not affordable below that) rugby will struggle to re-start. Bearing in mind we are at low-levels in most parts of the country the situation is only likely to get worse in the short term (perceived second wave, local lockdowns etc) ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Sail By
Date Posted: 27 Aug 2020 at 15:11
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Any chance of pointing us to the evidence of a second wave please? All the scientific data that I see is that hospital admissions and deaths are flattening out. Genuinely interested in where the stats are.
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2020 at 11:53
Read the news on the Internet - a number of countries are already seeing a rise in cases, particularly amongst younger adults (lack of social distancing?) - this is why quarantine has been introduced for travellers from those countries. Around 30 teenagers from Devon tested positive after returning from an organised trip abroad. There are also a number of conurbations (mainly northern) where localised lockdown measures are in place. Much as it would be nice to be true, complacency and sticking ones head in the sand is not going to make Covid disappear. ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: WEvans
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2020 at 13:42
I would ask my very nice 60+ year old neighbours who returned from holiday in Spain on Wednesday what they think of that. But I can't as they are out.
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Posted By: Sail By
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2020 at 13:51
So the science of a 2nd wave is what? You quoted that some young kids tested positive, currently we see around 1200 positive cases a day and hospital admissions going down. We are seeing more cases as we are testing more frequently. Can you imagine the amount of positive tests that would have been registered when we saw the devastating 1200 deaths per day? At a death rate of less than 1% this would have been massive. Yes we have to be careful but the positive cases are minimal to what was around in April. Can I politely suggest that you look at actual stats and do not read the news on the internet. As a scientist I follow stats not the media
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Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2020 at 14:09
So the fact that lots of countries are seeing infection increases is not a stat? Agreed, at the moment we have not reached March/April levels but if people don't respect the virus it WILL accelerate again. Can you tell me where I can get the stats (which anyone can bend to suit themselves - I am a mathematician) without using the Internet? ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Sail By
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2020 at 14:22
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Only one place to go that is the information supplied by Public Health England to the .gov site https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/" rel="nofollow - https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/ The real difference is the interpretation of these results. There is always a positive and negative spin on the data....as you are probably aware I am on the positive side of what I am seeing. The most significant data point for me was the end of May when we really started to come out of lock down and mix. Follow the graphs from there. But overall we should not argue over this, we should be grateful that we are here to type / moan and agree that we are all missing our great game of rugby!
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Posted By: Gopher72
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2020 at 14:31
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Launceston Rugby Club is a venue for covid-19 testing. At the beginning, daily average was around 25-30, with some days lucky to get in to the teens. Testing has skyrocketed in the past couple of weeks with this weeks daily average around 75-80 with a couple of days over 100. Many are coming up from Plymouth where there seems to have been an upsurge of cases in some of the larger firms. Results usually by the following morning but I wish I could get the actual numbers of positive and negative results. At least something is happening at the club! |
Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2020 at 18:01
Umm, isn't that on the Internet? ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Raider999
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2020 at 18:03
Plymouth is where the teenagers I referred to above came from - so they are the likely spreaders ------------- RAID ON |
Posted By: Sail By
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2020 at 21:16
| Word out from Yorkshire is that Bill Sweeney is pushing for November start up. |
Posted By: PiffPaff
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2020 at 08:02
I doubt very much Mr Sweeney is pushing for anything other than ensuring he gets his current salary cut re-instated asap how do you expect a man to live on 300K a year? Do not get your hopes up. The return to schools and the opening of large office complexes in the major towns and cities will have a big factor on how things go as we march in to autumn/winter. If the numbers (r) go up, expect the possibility of R2R Stages being revoked i.e back to C from D. The RFU even state this in their latest release. ------------- Crouch, Bind, Tweet! |
Posted By: Sail By
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2020 at 15:43
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1025 tests done last Thursday for the Premiership players and staff.
None came back positive. We can spin data both ways.
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Posted By: PiffPaff
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2020 at 19:17
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Yep, and its costing each Prem Club about 9K a week to do it, testing that is - which is a compulsory order by the HM Gov to allow "elite" rugby to play. ------------- Crouch, Bind, Tweet! |
Posted By: Patch
Date Posted: 16 May 2021 at 13:52
This aged well 😮
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