A BIG season is looming at Dursley Rugby Club with the new campaign about to kick-off on Saturday with a home cup clash with Gordon League before taking on Old Cryptians a week later.
And with all the club likely to be glued to England’s exploits in the Rugby World Cup this month, particularly with their old boy Ben Morgan selected for the squad, Dursley are ready for a busy year.
Chairman Simon Bilous said: “With the start of the Rugby World Cup only weeks away, Dursley Rugby Club is looking forward even more than usual to the start of the new season.
“Dursley senior side kick-off their competitive season after a good pre-season with a home cup match for the 1st team against Gordon League on Saturday (kick off 3pm).
“And after the triumphant end to last season when they beat local rivals Stroud in the final of the Stroud and District Combination Senior Cup, which was the first time that Dursley first team had beaten Stroud firsts in a competitive match, hopes are running high for a good year.
“Dursley women have also had a good summer, recruiting some new players and lining-up a number of fixtures, as well as having a trip to Barcelona to look forward to in October.
“The Dursley mini and youth section will kick off from Sunday with registration and training for the first few weeks for most teams leading up to the Minis festivals in October.”
And the hard work of those at the club has been recognised. Bilous said: “The club enjoyed a good 2014/15, culminating off the pitch with a very successful Summer Ball and Beer Festival in June. The festivities included recognition for a number of people at the club for the efforts both on and off the pitch during the course of the season.
“This included the Jack Heaven Memorial Cups for services to Senior and Junior Rugby going respectively to long-standing fixture secretary Tony Powell and to Tom Gibson for his sterling efforts in organising key events.
“The J Minchin Clubman of the Year went to Simon Camm in recognition of his efforts in coaching a minis team, refereeing when asked, being a regular player for the firsts and offering his support to the club in general.
The Seniors Emlyn Morgan Most Improved Player went to young front rower Ty Chappell who more than held his own playing regularly for the firsts.”
The Team Player of the Year awards went to Lee Barton (Stan Baldwin Nomad Third Team Player), Leigh Lord (Mark Ackerman Second Team Player), and Alex Budd (First Team Player). And the Keith Harding Player’s Player of the year went to firstt team skipper Scott Udal.
And there is a lot of optimism off the field at the club. Bilous said: “2015/16 will also be an important year with the club having had a major boost during the summer to its fund-raising efforts to build much needed new changing rooms with a large individual donation.
“With continued efforts from the membership and other supporters the club expects to be able to hit their target and be able to start building in March 2016 so that the new facilities are ready for September 2016 season.
“With the World Cup looming, we are also looking forward to watching Ben Morgan featuring on the biggest stage and cheering him on from their clubhouse.
Dursley Rugby Club will be showing the big games in September and October. Details of the games being shown and all of the club’s activities and contact details can be found at the website www.dursleyrfc.co.uk; and also by following them on Facebook.