After a defeat away from home, last week against Hinckley. The boys in green are on home soil for round 4 of the National West 2 League, facing a fresh opponent of Dudley Kingswinford. With the return of BUCS commencing next week, we had a chat with 3rd year student Ronan Kelly to discuss the fixture this weekend and the prospective season ahead.
Kelly expressed how much he was looking forward to the game tomorrow and to be back on the pitch with the boys in full force: ‘Yeah I’m feeling very excited, it’s been a long and tough pre-season but we feel that we’re in a good place and we’re ready to fire into the match on Saturday. It’s put us in a good stead to be able to have full confidence in our processes and fitness to get the job done!’
Ronan Kelly was an asset to EURFC last year in respective BUCS and National League fixtures throughout the year. Exeter also look ahead to Wednesday, where they will face Hartpury at home for the first BUCS fixture of the year. We asked Kelly what needed to be done this year in order to secure the double: ‘I think it’s about consistency, being able to go week in week out, home and away. We’ve got a really exciting squad this year and it’s about backing each other to go all the way and win even when the cards are against us.’
EURFC have certainly set themselves up for a promising season ahead, in regards to the National West 2 League as we sit joint with Luctonians at the top of the table, with 15 points. With two strong years of experience in the club, Ronan expressed how crucial it has been to lead the younger boys, whether it be in training or matchplay:
‘It’s been brilliant. I’ve really enjoyed leading the younger lads and trying to help them to get to grips with the way we play. I’d say for me it just keeps me honest as I need to know my stuff in order to help them and the new talent just forces me to stay on it, and drive myself and the rest of the boys forward.’
EURFC’s strength and determination certainly has proved strong with the start of the National West 2 season, however this focus and agility needs to be maintained with a similar approach, week in week out.
‘Our approach is the same as against any opposition. We want to play a fast exciting brand of rugby and our processes won’t change. We can’t afford to be complacent just because they’ve recently been promoted. We will back ourselves to do what we’re good at, and what we know best.’
This afternoon’s match against Dudley Kingswinsford is bound to be an exciting and unpredictable encounter. ‘The boys need to keep their head down and take one fixture at a time, with a fresh mindset.’