With a heavy first half schedule to the season completed, the 1st XV find themselves in 6th place after 17 consecutive league weekends. A record of ten wins, one draw and six defeats plus six bonus points has seen the side collect 48 league points leaving them thirteen points behind second placed Huddersfield who sit in the promotion play off place.
Speaking on the season to date Rugby Committee member Gareth Dyer said “I think we are pretty happy with how the season has gone to date. The targets we set with the coaches in pre-season are all within our grasp if we continue in our current form whilst the level of competition within the squad is certainly improved on last season. We brought lots of new faces into the squad during the summer and it’s pleasing how many guys have put their hands up in training and in the 2nd XV and then taken their chance in the first team when presented with an opportunity”.
Highlights so far involve a double over Caldy whilst home wins against Westoe, Leicester Lions and a bonus point win over Harrogate were improvements on last years campaign whilst an away win at Stockport was impressive and marked a try scoring debut of a certain Sean Long.
Moving into the New Year, 2012 promises to be a big year for the club with PGRFC selected to be the first northern club to host the England Counties XV when they face an Irish Clubs XV at Lightfoot Green on Friday 16th March.
Before then though January promises to be a big month for the 1st XV. “We have a bigger squad to pick from than in past years and we’re pleased about how things are developing. It takes time to build strength in depth but we have competition for places and options in most positions. By the end of January we will have played over two thirds of our games and we will have a good idea of where we can realistically finish. I’ve been impressed by the team spirit and work ethic the guys have built and I have every confidence that the squad will continue to improve under our strong coaching team”.
