Huddersfield RUFC are well prepared for life in the National III North, writes Patrick Moore.
Change has been aplenty for the Field since their relegation from North II and, while several additions have been made to the playing staff, they have also recruited ex-Huddersfield Giants RL conditioning trainer Matt Green.
Head coach Gareth Lewis has hailed the club’s progress this summer.
“Pre-season has been going pretty well,” said Lewis, whose team play their first friendly at Lichfield on Saturday.
“When a team is relegated you’ve got to freshen things up to re-engage the players, and we’ve done this with the help of Matt Green, who is in charge of the players’ strength and conditioning and has been added to the coaching team.
“It’s fair to say the lads have been worked incredibly hard, but not one single member of the group has given anything less than 100%, which is exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
The Huddersfield squad have also had help from Newcastle Falcons player and former All Saints student Ben Harris, as well as Giants’ Danny Brough, who have taken sessions with the forwards and backs respectively.
After Lichfield this Saturday, Field face Preston Grasshoppers at Lockwood Park the following Saturday (August 20), and they will be hoping to make their training pay dividends when the season starts for real at Sandal on September 3.
Lewis said: “We are taking a large squad down to Lichfield so that we can take a look at everybody.
“It looks as though we will be playing three 30-minutes, so we will be able to look at different combinations and get rid of the inevitable rustiness.
“Preston will be another tough challenge. They were excellent last season and appear to have recruited well, but I’m always keen for us to test ourselves against higher-level opposition.”
Alex Battye took over as skipper last season and is relishing a first full campaign at the helm.
“I can’t wait to lead the boys out in a couple of weeks,” said Battye.
“It has been one of, if not the best, pre-seasons I have been involved with at Huddersfield.
“We are fitter than ever before and our decision-making when we are under fatigue IS right.
“The specific sessions with the guys who have come in have been great for both the forwards and the backs.
“Everything they’ve told us will hopefully stand us in good stead for the upcoming season.”
Battye has welcomed the new recruits and says the focus is now firmly on playing smartly.
“With regards to the Lichfield and Preston games, it’s important we find progression every time we play,” he said.
“Preston is a game the lads are looking at because we were well beaten by them twice last season, so it would be nice to right those wrongs.
“But they are also a National II side and that’s ultimately where we want to be back to as soon as possible.”
As well as keeping the bulk of their squad, Huddersfield have re-shaped the squad – latest new arrival is Brandon Conway from rugby league – and Mark Pease, a centre who can play fly-half, is one of those wearing new colours.
“Everyone is looking forward to the games,” he said.
“We’ve done a lot of good things in training but it’s a good opportunity now to put things into practice in a game scenario and under some pressure.
“We’ve worked hard on our fitness, so it will be good to get some match minutes into us and see if we can take some momentum into the first game against Sandal.
“With it being a local derby against some old friends, we need to hit the season running.”
Francis Entresangle, another new signing at hooker but who is returning to Lockwood Park from Blaydon, added: “Pre-season training has been tough but very well organised and I feel the recovery rates have been hugely stepped up.
“The fact that we haven’t seen any injuries is testament to the guys looking after themselves and we are all really buying into the club’s ambition for promotion.
“It also means the competition for places in the 18-man squad will be higher than ever.
“I can’t wait to see what Lichfield and Preston bring and hope they’re tough encounters.
“I feel the team have learnt some tough lessons from last season, but most importantly we’ve developed resilience and determination.”
Coach Lewis feels the new faces have slotted in well.
He added: “I think some have been taken aback by how hard they’ve worked, but are now ready for the games to begin.
“All seven new signings will feature in the pre-season game against Lichfield.”
Lewis and backs coach Phil Gostling have qualified as Level III.
“It’s been a tough but enjoyable experience over the last 12 months,” said Lewis.
“It’s certainly pushed me out of my comfort zone and allowed us to drop in at the likes of Leicester Tigers, Sale Sharks and Huddersfield Giants to pick up fresh ideas.
“I’m spending the day with Yorkshire Carnegie on Tuesday (August 16) and I’m looking forward to it immensely.”
Of the new season, he explained: “When the fixtures came out, it just confirmed what a tough competition this will be.
“There are literally no easy games. However, I personally wouldn’t want it any other way and the players and coaches are incredibly excited for the new season to begin.”
