Exciting times in the Guinness Championship?

We are into the 4^th week of the season now and 2 wins from 3 is not a bad return, although we would have hoped for a full house.  But 4 weeks in and we still don’t really know the parameters of the competition.

It is exciting times for National Division One but with any change there is also a hint of worry.  The rumour mill suggests that the league will be reduced next season to only 12 teams from 16 that we currently have.

 

That is great news for a number of reasons but it leaves us in a situation where we are not sure how many teams are going to be relegated and what we need to do to be in the 12.  Will they relegate five and bring one up from National 2 or will they relegate 4 and have no promotion? The effects obviously don’t end with our league.

 

I think it is a great idea to reduce to 12 and I am told that the league is likely to be known as the Guinness Championship, like the equivalent football league, and thus get more funding and exposure.  But have a thought for the teams who are likely to be at the bottom of the league and, indeed, at the top of the league below.

 

There is a meeting to finalise the plans on the 3^rd of October but by then we will be 5 weeks into the season and block 1 will be over and done with (we split the season into 6 blocks).  I think the change is necessary and will be great for the league but I do wish things were clear before we started.

 

We will be pushing hard to be in the 12 and it will be exciting times.  A win this Sunday at Meadow Lane will help us move closer to that goal.  But Sedgley Park are a good side and I am expecting a battle at 3pm.

 

See you there……………………………………

 

 

 

It’s good to be back!

I can’t believe the time has flown so quickly but there has been plenty happening since the end of last season and now the beginning of this one.

 

What an end to 2007/8 season to finish joint second in the league and semi finalists in the cup was an outstanding achievement but one we are hoping to beat this year.

 

I was honoured to receive both the try of the season, although a 40 metre maul against London Welsh was much more of a team effort and the supporter’s player of the year award at the Annual Ball and awards ceremony on the last day of the season.  We had a fantastic night at Colwick Hall and then Alea Casino to round off the season in style.

 

After 30 odd games the body needs a good rest and although 6 weeks doesn’t feel like a long time by the time June 15^th came around I was ready to get back into training with the boys.  We have such a great team atmosphere down at Lady Bay that you really miss the banter.

 

On a personal note I am delighted to say that I got married in Thailand during the off season.  Both my wife and I, still feels a bit funny saying that, had a wonderful time but it does seem like a long time ago now!!

 

Training is well underway and we have our first test this Friday away at London Irish.  It is only in games that you get to judge how far we have come but the signs in training look good and we are all excited about actually playing a game, there is definitely a lot of pent up aggression waiting to get out!!

 

Hopefully we will see you all soon and don’t forget season tickets and matchday tickets are still available at www.nottinghamrugby.co.uk

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