Match Preview

Say goodbye to pain and hangover free Sundays because the new season starts here!!

Wheatley Rugby 1st XV will look to put the disappointment of last season behind them as take on Berkshire 'they've named them twice' Shire Hall on the opening day of their new league, the BBO Championship. Having spent the last two seasons playing in the Premiership, the championship side is somewhat of an unknown to Wheatley however Shire hall have been a staple of the BBO Championship for many a year, finishing 7th in the league last year.

The last time these two sides met was when this fixture book ended Wheatley's promotion season of 2013/14. The opening day of that season saw Wheatley lose one of only two games that year, getting comfortably beaten 25-0. However on the closing day of the season, promotion already secured and the blue sky conditions suiting their style of running rugby, Wheatley turned on the class, winning 110-5.

A lot has changed since then, with lots of the team that started that day having retired or moved away, so it is up to Wheatley's new boys to start the season with a bang.

After a disastrous campaign, Former Captain poochie steps down from his role, allowing loose head Prop and friendly bear, Alex Acklam to take the reins, starting at loosehead prop, alongside the ever present Pete Mitchell at hooker and the new old signing Lewis at tighthead. Wearing gold flashed boots, Nick "I'm too old for this" Banton, returns for his umpteenth season at lock, alongside the equally flamboyantly booted Matthew Gibb.

With Dan Bland cycling his way to destruction in Amsterdam and disgraced former captain Pooch sidelined until January with a knee injury, new signings have the perfect chance to make their case for permanent residency of the 6 and 7 shirts, whilst Jack Atkinson will be encouraging Matt Gibb to push in his familiar number 8 role.

Out into the backs, Aaron Laman will once again start at number 9, looking to build on the strong performances of his debut season, whilst Andy starts outside him at number 10. Now possibly deciding he is actually a back, Joe Hobdell (brother of shamed former captain Pooch) brings his patented brand of enthusiasm and energy to the number 12 spot, whilst after a summer of uncertainty, Sanda Mpanza showed his class by turning down a big money move to the higher leagues, returning to don the famous purple and black at outside centre.

Callum Fraser and Dan Rule will talk about their feelings and daisy chain techniques out on the wing, backed up by the young, but surprisingly fearless, Jordan Hook at full back.

Making up the subs bench is the 'versatile' (code for equally useless in many positions) Jake Durbin, whilst Jordan Mayling will provide backs cover and Ez will look to build on the promise he showed in the latter part of last season.

It's also all change at the top, with a new coaching team consisting of ex Quins (and Wheatley) player, Simon 'Tamworth' Chadbone taking over as head coach alongside Phil 'part of the furniture' Butler and newest signing, ex wasp Jeff 'only met him once so' Dontknowhislastname giving the backs some much needed direction and catching practice.

Two seasons is a long time in BBO rugby so the Wheatley/Shire Hall history means nothing and so it's up to this strong, but new, Wheatley side to make their own history come 3pm Saturday.

(Love you really Pooch!)