Pub crawl improves team spirit (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Pub crawl improves team spirit

10:25am Friday 18th May 2007 in Football By Nick Mashiter

A SESSION of team bonding helped Chippenham prepare for Saturday's trip to Lydney and get over the disappointment of two cancellations.

The game at Marshfield on Saturday was called off due to the rain, so captain Steve Silk took some of his troops on a spontaneous pub crawl.

He said: "We went to Marshfield, Ford, Biddestone and Yatton Keynell. On and off the pitch we want to come together.

"The team which used to be here was a fantastic, very strong and mature side but there is a massive age gap between them and the new breed of players we have now.

"We want to get back to the old days where Chippenham were successful and the best team around."

Also washed out on Sunday was the second round of the npower Village Cup against Warminster, something Silk was particularly disappointed about. The game has since been rearranged for this Sunday.

He said: "Chippenham have never entered it before and when I was playing in the Midlands we always played in it. A lot of the first teamers don't play so it gives the youngsters the opportunity.

"I pushed it at Chippenham because I think it is a good indication for where we are going to go."

There are no injury concerns for Silk leading up the clash with Lydney and the captain has been asking friendly rivals for tips against the Gloucestershire outfit.

He said: "I spoke to Kris Boulton about the league and he said every team from Gloucestershire are a good side.

"We will be looking to take some pressure off our batsmen because our bowling attack, whether we are defending or chasing a total, will take wickets."