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Bulls ready for first fixture after return to rugby’s National League
01/09/2022
A big crowd is expected as the young squad prepares to face Havant
The Banbury Bulls return to rugby’s National League for the first time in over twenty years on Saturday, following their promotion to Regional 1 South Central.
They start their season with a home fixture against Havant with the Bulls looking to continue their pre-season form into the regular season. Ahead of Saturday they have already picked up victories over Kenilworth, Towcestrians and Bromsgrove, but Havant looks set to be the toughest test of the lot.
The Bulls start their new season with new captain Jacob Turner leading the team. He’s been with the club since he joined as a member of the youth section.
Director of Rugby, Matt Goode is looking forward to lots of support for the game. He said: “I’m expecting a big crowd Saturday. They’ve really been our 16th man in recent years.
“It’s fantastic to be back in the National Leagues with so many home grown players. I think we’ve had a brilliant preseason and hope we continue that form into the first game of the season.
“We know when the crowd get behind us, we find a different gear. I’m looking forward to seeing as many people as possible here on Saturday. It should be a great game with some great rugby.
“Havant will be a really tough test. I think they’ll be one of the top teams in the division this season. But we’re ready for the challenge. We’ve prepared well, the boys have been training really hard. The new coaches we’ve got at the club, Soane Tonga’uiha and Aaron Hinkley, both bring Premiership Rugby experience with them, and you can already see the benefits that they’ve brought to the boys.
“It’s a young squad and they’re only going to improve as the season goes on.”
The Bulls’ first game against Havant kicks off on Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock and it is free to get in and watch.
Matt says the action and atmosphere will be something all ages will enjoy and told us what people watching for the first time can expect: “The first thing, some great rugby. We love to play attacking rugby and move the ball about.
“After that, the atmosphere is excellent. You can bring your kids, your gran, it’s a club for the whole family. The bar is great, food is great and it’s a brilliant atmosphere to be a part of.”
Ahead of Saturday’s first fixture of the season new Captain, Jacob Turner said: “It’s the perfect time to lead the club. I can’t wait to give that first team talk. To emphasize to the boys that this is a huge year for the whole club – but that we’ve got nothing to fear.
“I guarantee there will be loads of nervous energy when we go out for that first match because it’s easy to make too much of it. Having the experience to keep the boys calm and remind them that we don’t have much to fear in this league because a lot of the boys have the capability to go way beyond where we are at the moment.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam