Bann coach Daniel Soper will be waiting for a report on the club’s South Africa Tour before finalising the starting line-up for his side’s first Ulster League game on Saturday. The tourists returned home on Monday evening after a three-game trip to the Southern Hemisphere which saw them lose the first two narrowly before coming good in their final outing.
With most of last season’s regulars in the tour party, Soper will be hoping that any early-season rust will have been left in Cape Town and that any injuries picked up were of a minor nature. He will want to integrate the close-season captures into the squad and they will need time to familiarise themselves with the playing patterns, having arrived too late to make the tour.
Scrum-half Ian Porter is the most high-profile of the new signings as he joins after a number of seasons with Ulster and with last season’s regular pivot Neville Farr sidelined with injury, Soper will be glad to have filled the vacancy with such a quality player.
Centre Matthew Johnston (ex-Queen’s) and full-back Gregg Taylor (ex-Ballynahinch) will greatly boost the firepower in the backs, while up-front prop Matt Wilson (ex-Portadown) and No 8 Jonny Graham (ex-‘Hinch) further strengthen a forward squad which was rarely matched last season.
Belfast Harlequins travel to provide the opposition and the city side will be looking for a significant improvement on their performance in last weekend’s surprising 8-0 home defeat at the hands of Armagh.
With Ballymena next up in the first round of the Senior Cup, a repeat of last season’s final, Soper will be hoping that those games in South Africa allow his players to hit the ground running.
This Saturday’s game kicks off at Rifle Park at 2.30pm.
A message to ‘Friends of BRFC’:
The Bar-B-Q and Final Draw, postponed because of Ulster’s Heineken Cup semi-final, will now be held in the clubhouse on Saturday 8th September. Food will be available for all ‘Friends’ from 7.30pm and the draw will take place at 9.30pm.
Please let me know if you plan to attend for catering purposes.
We all look forward to an exciting All-Ireland League campaign following the promotion won last season. The Firsts kick-off on Saturday at home to Belfast Harlequins in the Ulster League, ko 2.30pm, and on the afternoon of the B-B-Q and Draw they travel to Eaton Park to take on Ballymena in the First Round of the Senior Cup, a trophy held by the hosts after their narrow win over Bann in last season’s final.
Thank you for continuing to support the Club as a ‘Friend’.
Mini Rugby Registration this Saturday
It’s Registration Day this Saturday when a new season of Mini Rugby kicks off at Rifle Park, starting at 9.30am.
Boys and girls who simply want to give the game “a try” will be made more than welcome. There are grades for every primary school year from P2 up and regular matches throughout the season. So if you’ve been thinking of taking up the game, now’s your chance.
