IT HAS been a good few weeks for Old Grovians.

The Bradford side’s resurgent performances have seen them gain momentum as the season heads into the final stretch.

Despite there being no relegation this season, the rugby-union side will be more than encouraged with the recent displays, a period which has seen them collect four wins in their last six, while it has also given them a comfortable cushion above the league’s bottom two sides.

Discussing the reason behind his team’s change in fortune, head coach Andy Hinchliffe said: “I’m extremely pleased with my team’s attitude to bounce back from a difficult period, a period where we couldn’t really buy a win.

“It has been a combination of injuries coming back, having greater player availability and also the fact that we have been able to produce a more stable side.

“We have had to use 70 players this season, which is ridiculous but in the last five or six weeks we’ve been able to use 20-23 players. That’s why the results have come.

"Because there is no relegation or promotion this season, it has meant that it has been like a season-long pre-season and we have had to go through a number of difficult times where a lot of things went against us.

“But we knew we could go through those difficulties without the worry of being relegated, while we knew we would come through the other side in a positive light. And that’s exactly what has happened.”

Hinchcliffe added: “We have managed to attract some new players, we’ve got players back from injury and we are almost at the point of having a second team now.

“A lot of things have changed over the past six weeks and all for the better. The club is on the up again and we can go into a competitive campaign next year with full confidence.”

Amidst all the excitement building at Old Grovians, the club do have another fixture on their hands this weekend- a chance to boost the morale in camp even further as they host Leeds Corinthians today.

The latter were only promoted to Yorkshire Two last season and it was them who claimed the bragging rights in the first fixture between the two sides, the hosts winning 21-9 on the day.

“It’s a game between a side from Bradford and Leeds, but like most ties between a Bradford and Leeds side- I wouldn’t say that there is that bitter rivalry”, said Hinchcliffe.

“I think the biggest factor in this game is that my side will want revenge. It was a disappointing result last time out, but we are confident and we will look to take the game to Leeds.

“It’s going to be a tough game, we know that. They are a big and physical side and we expect nothing less than a battle. A win would be great for our momentum.”