SWINTON Lions have recalled four of Slaithwaite’s key personnel to begin pre-season training.
The big freeze hit Slaithwaite Saracens harder than most as they pushed to complete fixtures whilst still having the star quartet in their armoury.
Ritchie and Darren Hawkyard, Phil Joseph and Richard Flooks have played a major role in Slaithwaite’s campaign and their absence will be felt as they return to their professional side for the new season.
Former Bradford Bull Ritchie Hawkyard has occupied the full-back position for much of this season and has at times come from the bench and turned games around for Saracens.
Club secretary Jonathan Fell explained: “The heart of the team has gone, but we have a big and healthy squad here. Ritchie and Darren have been excellent for us and it will be tough now.
“Phil Joseph has acted as assistant player-coach and we will definitely miss his presence around the place.
“And In Richard Flooks we had a really good squad member and high-scoring winger.”
November 15 was the last time Slaithwaite played a Pennine League game and it has caused great frustration for the club, none more so than the players.
Slaithwaite’s challenge now is to continue their good league form and maintain the standard of rugby installed so far.
Fell admitted: “It’s definitely going to be tough now, I think we can get them back at some point but whether that would be before the end of the season I can’t be sure. We’re fourth in the table, a good mid-table finish and a decent cup run is what we want now.
“We’ve faced some tough opposition so far. We’re yet to play Queens, so I would say Drighlington have been our toughest opponents.”
Slaithwaite’s second team are top of Pennine League Division V and are a good asset for the first team to have, providing competition for places and depth.
“The second-team players are really relishing the opportunity of competing for key positions in the first team,” added Fell.
Slaithwaite are unbeaten in their last three league games, but face tough tests in the next fortnight.
This weekend provides their first game for almost two months, a home tie with eighth-place Siddal A. It will be a test of squad capacity now as the Saracens continue their Pennine League progress.
