Victory at Lady Bay this past weekend, in the Championship Cup, and a first of any kind since mid-October, was welcome relief for Nottingham RFC Head Coach, Craig Hammond.
It’s been a run of defeats, ten in total, and saw two against both Jersey Reds, and Ealing Trailfinders, both of whom they face in their next two games.
A hat-trick of tries from David Williams set the Archers on their way to a 24-12 success at home to Hartpury University, and now, Hammond, his coaching staff, and the players, will be hope to start building a little momentum in the second half of the season.
Speaking about recent form, and the win against Hartpury, Hammond said: “There’s been a few results that have been really frustrating.
“We’ve been unlucky with a few, but you just ignore them and move on to the next one, that and we drew both Ealing (Trailfinders) and Jersey (Reds) in the cup.
“The lads though, especially with all we’ve lost (up to fourteen out with injuries, personal issues, of some form), they’ve trained really hard.
“Yes, it’s affected us, knocked the consistency we had earlier (in the season), so it was good to go out there, in front of a good crowd, and get that win, against Hartpury.”
Of those affecting injuries, of which four have been concussion-based, and three on the ac joints, they’ll be returning to action soon in what Hammond admits is a very small squad at Lady Bay.
The next two games for the Archers are in the Championship Cup, away to first Ealing (11 February) followed by a Friday night clash in Jersey (17 February), with a return to league action, and a third, straight, away day, at Ampthill (25 February).
Hartpury are the next visitors to Lady Bay, in the Greene King IPA Championship, early next month, but Hammond and his charges have plenty to go through, between now, and then.
“I’m hoping we can start picking back up again, and scoring a few more tries,” added Hammond.
“With fourteen out injured, and such a small squad, it’s been difficult, but we’re excited about the games ahead of us, and warmer weather.
“We’ll look to get through this spell (away games), then knock though some clubs and hopefully start moving up the league.
“Ealing though, that’ll be tough as they’ll be frothing after losing their last two (22-19 at home to Coventry, 28-27 away to Jersey), and they are much better than the rest.
“However, it’s an opportunity for us to perform against them; we’ve done the training, worked really hard, and the lads are up for the battle.”
Nottingham travel to Ealing Trailfinders, in the Championship Cup, on Saturday 11 February, kick-off scheduled for 15:00; keep up-to-date with the Archers via their Facebook, Twitter and website here.
*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @NottinghamRugby a win for Nottingham last time out v Hartpury.
