So this Saturday brings back some Cumbria league rugby, we cant wait to welcome all the supporters, family and friends back down to the club to enjoy our first game of league rugby in what has seemed like an eternity against our old friends Millom who I am sure are equally looking forward to getting the season underway. Off the pitch we have Pie and a Pint for a fiver and would love past players to come down and have the chance to meet up and crack about old times and how life is slowly starting to get back to normal. We also haven't forgotten about our families and little ones, there will be a bouncy castle near the patio for the youngest to enjoy while their parents can socialise and watch the games with one another.

So onto the team! When lockdown hit no one knew how long it would be until we could once again cross the whitewash and scrum down again but throughout all the uncertainty and stress of the pandemic we stuck together! Zoom quizzes, fitness challenges, orienteering, even a rather successful debut single covering the back street boys classic "I want it that way" kept our team bond strong. Obviously the results last season couldn't have been any worse but as they say once you hit rock bottom, there is only one way to go! we used our time off wisely, planning how we would move forward and improve as a club on and off the pitch. We now have fantastic social media content which has proved to be hugely beneficial when getting our name out there for people wanting to play rugby, I thank the volunteers who organise this for all their hard work. We have welcomed back the majority of our players from last season along with lots of new lads looking to be part of something special and we cant wait to get going. Saturday will see some new faces along with the older ones and the really old one (Matt) come together as we take on the challenge that Millom will bring. The lads have worked really hard in the off season winning all three of the warm up games and went about their business in a positive manner. We are very happy that we are today able to put out two teams on a Saturday afternoon which gives some indication of how positive the last few months have been and we hope to keep growing as much as we can.

Final thought- I would personally like to thank all the players for their commitment and determination to improve of pre season as non of the above would have been possible without them buying into it. A special mention has to go to our club captain, Chris Marsh, who's positive and sometimes slightly strange outlook on life has helped to gel this group of lads together throughout the lockdown and summer training, he managed to do this whilst also teaching his year 6 pupils online and fitted in his wedding to his lovely new wife Anna. Unfortunately Chris has picked up an injury and will not be able to take the field this week and I know he is absolutely gutted about this but will be doing his upmost to support the team from the side lines.
So get down bring your voices lets hear some support for the lads of both teams and enjoy some rugby without worry and fear.

Richard Liddle (Hess)