Fair game (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Fair game

Fairford coach Chris Clarke hopes his side can makes waves in their new division Ref: 78829-37RUGBY KICK-OFF: FAIRFORD have no intention of settling for a 'bedding-in' period in their new surroundings following their transfer from the Gloucestershire leagues this summer.

The 10-year-old club, who play at Coln House School, host Swindon College's second string on Saturday their first match in the all-new Dorset & Wilts Three North division.

And according to first team coach Chris Clarke, the move is an opportunity to revive their fortunes, which were going stale in the Gloucestershire set-up.

"Over the past few years our player numbers have increased and while in Gloucestershire Three North we weren't able to provide all those players with regular games,'' he explained.

"There were only six or seven teams in the league and some months we would play one league game, with another three friendlies.

"It was disjointed in terms of fixtures, but another reason is that we are a lot closer to the teams in the Dorset & Wilts league.''

Clarke & co can now look forward to testing themselves against second and third teams from the likes of College, Corsham, Minety, Supermarine and Devizes, as well as further afield to Trowbridge, Bradford on Avon and Bath's Combe Down.

Clarke added: "We want to make an impact this season we have to on behalf of the club.

"We have been stagnant for too long in the Gloucester league and are looking to make an impact this term.

"We need to enjoy our rugby again and we will also be travelling to a lot of places we haven't played at before.''

He added: "The beauty of it is that we don't know a lot about the clubs we will be coming up against.

"The style of rugby will remain the same we want to enjoy the game and move the ball about."

Perhaps bucking the trend at this level, the one thing Fairford is not short of are players, so much so that putting two teams out on a Saturday is not out of the question.

A thriving youth section also points the way to a promising future.

"Hopefully with the amount of players we have we can step things up to two training sessions a week and put out two teams, so everyone gets a game," said Clarke.

"We have had up to 30 players at training and still have a few away on holiday so the signs are positive.

"We have also had a lot of under 16 players coming through which is what we want and that again will provide us with stability in the longer term.

"I don't think there are many clubs who can boast of having 35 players turn up regularly for pre-season as well as having the facilities we have at our disposal.

"We are still on the lookout for front row players as we seem to be covered in all other areas of the pack.

"Elsewhere we may be losing a few players to university so it will be a squad effort.

"The senior team has to lead the way because there are a lot of junior teams here too.

"We want to make sure the junior players want to stay with us and progress through to the first team.

"We have come a long way.

"We are proud of the work that George Ellis (director of rugby) and the boys have done with regards to the training and playing facilities.

"The pitch is in excellent condition and we are expanding the floodlit training areas.

"If new players are interested in coming down then they can expect a solid hour and a half's training session and we take our rugby seriously on a Saturday."

For more information about Fairford Rugby just log onto the club's new website www.fairfordrfc.com.