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OD’s moving forward to meet new season’s challenge

OD’s moving forward to meet new season’s challenge

Anthony Proctor13 Jun 2017 - 09:46
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Players urged to commit to regular training from 29th June

This is an emerging, self-motivated group of players who will drive their own success and it’s an exciting time to be involved with Old Dunstonian rugby
- Phil Ubee, Seniors Head Coach

If there was any doubt about the league task facing Old Dunstonians this coming season, the publication of the London SE 3 fixtures should focus rugby minds during the summer months. One of last season’s form teams, Thanet Wanderers visit Langley Park for the opening game on 9th September, followed by an away trip to the Sussex Downs to play Lewes, another top four side where OD’s struggled at the beginning of last season. Park House and Folkestone complete September’s fixtures, amounting to a stern examination of how the Old Boys’ side might fare throughout the season.

In fact, it was the return fixtures against these top teams at the end of last season’s campaign that gave the whole club the belief and aspiration to progress further. Encouragingly, there’s every indication that this young group of players has the collective desire to stay together, work hard and continue to improve.

The close season will see further steps to ensure that players old and new enjoy the Langley Park experience. Peter Jefferys and Mike Ubee will be in charge of the 1st XV for a second season, while captain Jack Powter and co-pilot Andy Booth are in the A XV cockpit to navigate through the competitive Spitfire league. The ambition to run a regular Ex A XV as well as occasional Vets fixtures on a Sunday, currently entered into the Golden Oldies Spitfire Vets Competition, will be another positive outcome from last season’s success and is seen as a crucial next step in the club’s development, providing player strength in depth and hopefully regular rugby on a Saturday at Langley Park.

Club training starts on Thursday 29th June and players are encouraged to build their own personal fitness levels that will allow them to make a full commitment to a regular and demanding training schedule every Tuesday and Thursday through July and August. A training day has been arranged for Saturday August 12th at the Jubilee Ground in Catford which will be followed by two pre-season fixtures before the first league weekend.

Seniors Head Coach, Phil Ubee, talks confidently about the future: “With the expectation of new players adding to the 70 or so who appeared in an OD shirt last season, we can demand higher levels of fitness, training commitment and match day availability. This is an emerging, self-motivated group of players who will drive their own success and it’s an exciting time to be involved with Old Dunstonian rugby”, he says.

Hopefully the club can enjoy another rewarding season, taking further strides towards league promotion and the return to its traditional ethos:

Old Dunstonian rugby – where ambition meets fun and tradition.

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