We have built a strong rivalry with our opponents over the years, but I’m hoping today is a superb advert for National One with a big crowd and the weather staying clear.
It is a big test for both of us and will be a measure of where we are at.
Last Saturday saw some extraordinary results with four of the top six in National One all losing to teams below them, and while it’s cliché, it proved again anyone can beat anyone and it’s what makes the league so special.
There can be reasons for upsets – the weather, travel disruption, last-minute unavailability, there are so many little details – but if you have any tiny crack, every team in the division is vulnerable.
We’ve had two recent away games at Leeds – where the weather proved an issue – and Clifton last Saturday, where we’ve underperformed and while not got the bonus-point, we’ve at least secured a win.
We currently sit third in the table with today the final game of the first block, and hats off to the squad.
With the number of changes from last year it’s been an excellent start and is no small achievement.
Lots to look forward to before Christmas
Today is the first of three important home games before Christmas as we also host top-four sides Plymouth Albion and Rotherham Titans, and I’m hoping for some big crowds after we topped 1,000 versus Birmingham Moseley a fortnight ago.
I know the Plymouth lunch is already sold out, but I’d urge our supporters to keep spreading the word among any sports lover because we have a great product and excellent value for money.
We need to get people along to experience matchday because once they come, they almost invariably come back.
Many thanks to our new sponsor QIO
We are delighted to have QIO Technologies as our ball sponsor today – many thanks to David Lane and the company for getting involved and I hope you have a great day.
I’d also like to credit Tim Pitfield, who has joined the marketing/sponsorship team and is putting in the hours knocking on doors to get this support.
It’s very good and I’m extremely grateful to him and all the volunteers who make the place what it is.
Get down for Wednesday Night Lights
Elsewhere we have another home Wednesday Night Lights Development XV game against Royal Air Force this week, and the numbers coming to watch these hidden gems are getting stronger.
We had between 300-400 for the high-scoring game with Chinnor recently, and these games are very entertaining – if you’ve not been before, you should come and experience them.
There are some stars of the future, it’s free entry with food and drink available and I believe our team are comfortably playing at Level Four/Five standard – it’s very good.
