Match Preview

Kiplings boys battle on.

Whilst we have no first team rugby this week, we do have our seconds in action, so hold off on the Christmas shopping and come and get to know this side which has had a difficult season so far.

As you know our firsts play in Gloucester 1 and this second team supports them very well. Although successive promotions to the District premier have made life tough for them and they can only boast one win from eight league outings.

This record seems poor compared to the first team, but it should be viewed in the context of the level of competition they are up against. No other second team of our level compete in this league and only Longlevens and Frampton are from the league above. All the other sides they compete against play at least two sometimes three divisions higher. But this week they have the luxury of a friendly and Manager Tony Kipling is confident of securing a much-needed win against Hucclecote’s second string.

He will also be confident that McMahon and Worrall will be on hand looking out for players hoping to feature in future 1st team selections. These include, Rob Anderson, Archie McAlpine, Bret Bennett, Jerome Vidge and Chris Kent. There are others of course but the side also includes six youngsters who’ve come up from the under 18s. These are, Kipling, Blackford, Taylor, Kemmett, Ryder-Jones and Robb.

The selection may also include one or two first team players who need game time. Player coach Jake McMahon is one whilst official captain Jake Kellaway is sure to feature. The excellent Kellaway will be proud to lead the side for only the second time this season after being voted in as captain, but then went and claimed the No1 shirt in the first team.

So, whilst the going has been tough, manager Kipling believes that the hard graft will eventually pay off, and the club will be stronger for it. They need and deserve our support on Saturday so
come down, support the future and remember that we are #OneClub