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Season Review 2010-2011

Season Review 2010-2011

Stephanie Yule20 Jun 2011 - 22:38
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The 2010/11 season saw Tring reach their highest ever position in the league structure.

Not bad for a village side, as they were once referred to. As has been typical of other seasons the team took a while to find their feet at the start of the campaign and heavy defeats to Hertford and Ampthill may have indicated how the season would pan out. However, the team continued to grow and develop and, despite being firmly in the relegation zone at Christmas, started to find success with the fast, expansive game for which they have become known. By the end of March league survival was all but secured and the coaches and players set their sights higher up the league. As the division was split into three distinct sections the points gap in the middle group was going to be too great but the aim of finishing at the top of the bottom was achievable. Defeat to Hertford, in a thrilling final day match, meant that the team was unable to overtake Bishop's Stortford and take that crown but the ambition remains for the coming campaign.

Whilst staying true to the club's amateur ethos significant signings were made to bolster the team. Dave Shotton, James Fouracre and Nathan Lambden joined, having completed their studies at Loughborough University, and James Stephenson and Tim Loughman arrived from New Zealand as part of a reciprocal deal with a Marlborough based club. Influential winger Liam Chennells returned to the club making a great impact in the latter half of the season and full back Tom Newton was his usual mercurial self, winning the club's Player of the Year award at the End of Season dinner. Of particular note was the improvement of the pack. Far from the biggest in the league the front five developed to become very effective in the scrum and at the breakdown, using agility over brawn to get the better of their opponents.

The season ended with an appearance in the Herts RFU Presidents Cup against league rivals Hertford. It ended in victory for the newly promoted side and, even though Tring reached the final through default, was a fitting conclusion to an entertaining and successful season. Worthy of mention is the selection of Dave Shotton and Tom Newton to play for Hertfordshire and their appearance at Twickenham in the final of the Bill Beaumont Cup.

In 2011/12 the club will strive to further cement its position in Level Five and extends a warm welcome to all visitors to Cow Lane.

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