Old Grovians have grounds for optimism

Whether they gain promotion from SSE Yorkshire Division Four this season or not, Woodhouse Grove-based Old Grovians are convinced that they are becoming a serious force.

Head coach Matt Gaffney said: “The most important thing going forward is that we regularly field two teams, and we are getting near to that.

“In five years’ time I see us not only doing that but also playing in one league or two leagues above where we are now.

“The lowest number we have got down to training this season is 19 and if we can get four or five players joining us every year from old boys of the school then we can achieve our ambition of playing two teams.”

With the season now halfway through, Grovians (35 points) are fourth in their division, headed only by Harrogate Pythons (40), Leeds Medics & Dentists (43) and Hemsworth (44).

Gaffney added: “We have only lost three games, and one of those was to Hemsworth by a point where we had a kick to win it in the last minute.

“If we can string a run of wins together in the second half of the season, we can be right in the mix.”

If things are progressing on the field, there is the enticing prospect of them coming together off the pitch as well.

Gaffney said: “The school are really supporting us, and we have loads of lads playing for us who were at the school three years ago.

“Also our chairman Nick Fawcett is due to talk with Roger Howard, Woodhouse Grove’s director of sport, tomorrow about getting our own clubhouse down there.

“Another option is some land either this side of the river or across the road.”

Currently Old Grovians use a bar at the school or the nearby Stansfield Arms for their after-match hospitality.

The club are not afraid either to develop relationships with local clubs such as Bradford & Bingley and Otley.

Gaffney said: ”We have a link with Bradford & Bingley, and I am on the phone every month to their director of rugby Martin Whitcombe.

“We had training sessions and a game against them pre-season and there is the possibility of a forwards’ session with Martin after Christmas.

“Also I know Tom Rock, who is the backs’ coach at Otley, and he has said he will do a backs’ session with us after Christmas.”

Yesterday's points were easily won against Stanley Rodillians as the Wakefield side turned up without a front row, Grovians securing the match by a walkover.

However, they played a friendly with uncontested scrums which tested everyone’s ability to deal with the weather, as referee Paul Garbutt and the players had to contend with sleet and driving rain on a day when at least three rainbows were also visible.

Grovians tries came from full back and man of the match Anthony Griffin (2), fly half Ben Brown (2), second row Dave Roberts and centre Adam Weaving, who also kicked three conversions.

Rodillians’ sole points came from their stand-out player, fly half Tom Tooley, who scored a try and kicked a conversion.