News

Jul 2, 2008, 9:23 am
Pre-Season training continues this Thursday, starting at 7:30pm sharp



Rumours that the first session was too tough for the squad are to be dismissed...

Prior to this, from 6:30pm in the Clubhouse, there will be a display of the new Kooga playing kit and other rugby wear. Players will be able to try on shirts to establish correct sizes and place orders for any training or leisure wear items that they want.

If you're saving yourself for the start of the season don't bother! The Holland Tour and start of the season is only 9 weeks away - now less than 18 training sessions to go.....Time to get a ball back in your hands, learn the new ELVs and get ready to go!

Jun 25, 2008, 11:29 pm
Pre-Season training for our Senior & Colts squads starts Tuesday 1st July 7-9pm

The coached sessions will run EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY throughout the summer at 7pm, and will focus on core skills, fitness, team skills and the new ELVs

All players, new and old, especially including our new U.18 squad heading to South Africa on Tour, are invited to train over the summer - take this opportunity to improve your skills and fitness surrounded by a crowd of like-minded Saracens players

The summer session will cover all standardised set pieces, calls & play sequences that are used thoughout the Senior section. Coaching will also focus on preparing the squads in attack and defence for the opportunities and threats posed by the new Experimental Law Variations, which come into the Northern Hemisphere game on 1st August. You can read & save a copy of these Laws from the 'Downloads' section of this website

For more details call Colin Veitch on 07785 396126 or email saracensrugby@btinternet.com

Jun 11, 2008, 4:27 pm
Time to get back to work, fellas!

The Holland Tour 15-a-Side Tournament kicks off in 10 weeks time, and between then and now we need to get stronger, faster, more skillful, better organised and learn the new ELVs....

Strength & Conditioning squad sessions will start at Bramley Road next Weds at 6pm, and will finish at about 8pm with some Touch Rugby outside.

The infamous 'Saracens Decathlon Challenge' will be running again this year, and there will be a prizes awarded to the most improved athlete in the following Age Group categories: U.20, U.30, U.40, U.50 and 50+

Skills & ball work start week commencing 1st July, with two additional sessions a week being timetabled.

Watch the website for further details - time to kiss goodbye to the beer bellies!

Jun 8, 2008, 1:27 am

On Saturday 17^th May, the pool matches were held. Saracens started confidently dispatching Erikslund 55-0 and Trojans 60-0. They then had a titanic struggle with the host team, Stockholm Exiles unbeaten for three years in Swedish rugby, coming from behind twice before running out eventual winners 30-15.

The second day of the tournament, Sunday 18^th May, was finals day. Saracens now really stepped up a gear playing an impressive brand of strong aggressive rugby. Frolunda were

duly dispatched 45-0 in the semi-final. The final matched Saracens with Vanersborg, surprise sudden death winners in the other semi final against Stockholm Exiles.

Vanersborg started determinedly managing to pin Saracens on their own line for the opening minutes. However, once Saracens managed to clear their lines with an impressive kick the pendulum swung decisively in their favour and an early try settled nerves. Once ahead class began to show and the final ended 25-0 in favour of the English side

Jun 3, 2008, 12:39 pm
The RFU Management Board has carefully considered a recommendation of the RFU Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) Implementation Task Group regarding introduction of some of the ELVs into the youth game in England .

The Management Board has approved the recommendation of the ELV Task Group that ELV 2 (shoulders must not be lower than the hips at the maul) and ELV 3 (pulling down the maul) should not be trialled in England at Under 19 level and below until:

•   It has been demonstrated to be safe in the adult game;  

• The results of trials currently taking place in South Africa have been properly analysed by the iRB with specific reference to the safety of pulling down the maul at all rugby played at U19 and below;  

• Agreement has been reached on the safest method to pull down the maul and appropriate coaching techniques have been developed.  

• Sufficient time is allowed for the safest method and the appropriate coaching techniques to be communicated to all those involved in rugby at U19 level and below.

The RFU will now discuss the issues that may arise with age grade cross-border competitions where other Unions are trialling ELV 2 & 3 with the IRB and affected Unions. However, the interests of young players and the safety concerns expressed by the game will take precedence.

 RFU Chief Executive Francis Baron OBE said: “We have received a large number of letters from the youth game expressing serious concerns over the introduction of some of the ELVs in the youth game.

“It is established practice that Unions can apply variations to the Laws at youth level and many Unions exercise their rights in this respect. The RFU intends to exercise its rights in respect of the ELVs of concern to us and the game in England following discussion with the IRB and other affected Unions.”

Jun 3, 2008, 12:37 pm
The RFU have agreed to run an entry level referee course at Bramley Road. It is a two day course Sunday 8 June and Sunday 22 June (You must attend both days) The course runs from 0930 to 1600.
 
The course costs 50 pounds but the club will meet the cost.
 
Each age group should have two trained referees.
 
Please let me know asap by phone or email if you would like to attend.
Regards
 Jules
07786 113175

May 23, 2008, 8:35 pm

MAJOR RENOVATION WORKS TO BRAMLEY ROAD PITCHES

Please be aware that an extensive programme of drilling, seeding, top-dressing and fertilizing is currently being carried out on all Bramley Road pitches and training areas.

The work is being undertaken by independent specialist contractors at considerable expense to the Club following a soil and grass analysis which we commissioned some weeks ago.

When completed, this work will greatly improve the quality and longevity of all our pitches and training areas for everyone over next and future seasons.

Lee Adamson has asked everyone therefore to please cooperate by keeping off the playing areas of all our pitches as much as possible over the next 4-6 weeks while the work is finalized and the new seed germinates.

In particular, Lee has asked that there should be no activity whatsoever on the main pitch, which is receiving additional essential remedial work, during this period.

A note will be posted on the websites when it is determined that the pitches are available for training again - watch this space!

Many thanks for your cooperation.

Ed Cheek
(on behalf of Lee Adamson )

May 23, 2008, 4:25 pm
The RFU have released the 2008-09 League fixtures, and these have now been posted to the Fixtures List.

We are awaiting the Crusaders Merit Table fixtures plus the Colts XV League game dates now. There will additionally be a programme of Scimitar and U.21 Friendlies posted for the season.