BRACKNELL RFC chairman Martin Radford believes the club is in a good position to grow next season following a disappointing National Three London & South East campaign, writes Richard Ashton.

The Lily Hill men parted company with former coach Rory Greenslade-Jones earlier this month, but responded with two wins and a gutsy 24-14 defeat in their last home game of the season against high-flying East Grinstead on Saturday.

Radford told the News: “The reaction [to Rory leaving] has been really good. There’s a different emphasis in training – it’s been more about core skills and maybe less about structure.

“We want the players to enjoy it, we want them all to be here next year. There’s a new wave of youngsters being integrated which puts people on their toes because we’re going to start getting competition for places. It’s all looking good.”

Among those to come into the side recently is academy scrum-half Ally Walton, and he again looked composed at Lily Hill Park on Saturday.
Radford continued: “You’re always going to be a bit worried about 18-year-old guys coming into a senior game, but unless you give them the opportunity you won’t find out.

“We’ve had that all season with a number of players. Ben Yates, who’s always been on the fringes of the first team, he’s got his opportunity and now he’s taken it and become a regular. He’s been outstanding all year.

“They’ve got enough experience around them to perform and there are a few more in the academy who are pushing for that too.”

Bracknell are certain to finish 11th with one game of the season remaining, but Radford believes there is room for improvement next term.

He admitted: “There are lots of reasons to be cheerful, although we’ve been disappointed with this half of the season.

“The first half of the season, I felt we were a good side making mistakes, but after Christmas we didn’t really do enough conditioning. The boys weren’t really in the best of condition and it showed. We lacked confidence and it got under the skin a little bit.

“But because we’ve got the heart, determination and grit we can build on that and hopefully with some good recruitment and player retention I think we’re in a good position going into next year.

“We haven’t really set our expectations for next year yet, but we know the squad is probably good enough to finish mid-table.”

He added: “We’ll be realistic in terms of expectations but if we recruit wisely in the right places then I’m sure we can be top six and maybe push a little bit higher.

“We want to create a sustainable first team going forward and blood the youngsters. The future is in the youth, our junior set-up is very strong and very successful and we just need to blend youth and experience with one or two marquee players and it will be a happy place.”

Saturday’s defeat also marked experienced hooker Stuart Silvester’s last game for the Lily Hill men, and Radford paid tribute to his contribution.

He said: “When Stuart and Rory came in it was absolutely tremendous for the club. Sly has effectively driven the boys forward by creating a new feel around the club four years ago. We don’t underestimate the amount of work Rory put into the coaching and Sly put into playing, leading from the front.

“They’re both from the forces and that grit and determination has been vital. We want Sly to be involved with the club next year, it won’t necessarily on the playing side but he’s an absolute warhorse and he always will be with his mentality. We wish him all the best in retirement and he’s been fantastic.”