DIRECTOR of rugby Dan Protherough has insisted there will be no easy games this season as Bromsgrove prepare to launch their National Three Midlands campaign.
The Finstall Park outfit, who finished sixth last season, will host Sutton Coldfield tomorrow (Saturday) with Boars’ supporters hopeful their side can challenge for the title.
The division boasts Birmingham Bees, following their relegation from National Two, while Protherough believes Peterborough Lions, Nuneaton and Hinckley will also make strong cases for promotion.
But the Bromsgrove boss told The Standard he expected the league to be ‘incredibly tight’ with a number of teams having a chance to clinch top spot.
“Unless a team has gone out and recruited hugely, I don’t see anyone running away with it like South Leicester did last year,” he said.
“I think the league is a lot more even this year right across the board whereas last year there were three sides which were quite poor and you felt you should win those games.
“I don’t think there is going to be any easy games this year which is good as it means anyone can beat anyone.
“Bar South Leicester, there was not much between ourselves, Nuneaton, Old Hales, Peterborough and Hinckley.
“We won and lost against Nuneaton, Peterborough and Old Hales. Hinckley beat us twice, but only by a kick of a ball.
“So this season I think it will be a case of if we turn up and play well you have got a chance. If you don’t you’ll get beat.”
Bromsgrove have made a number of additions to their squad, including scrum half Chris Danks and front rower James Shewell from Droitwich.
The duo could feature against Sutton, along with University of Worcester pair Aaron Middleton and Lewis Arnold, and Protherough said it was important his side, who will be captained by Phil Horton, get off to a good start.
“I think we are heading in the right direction,” he added. “We have worked quite hard on the areas we weren’t so good at last year and also we have refined our game plan which will help us.
“Sutton will give us a tough game as they are all well organised and I rate them highly actually, but starting at home we want to go and win it.”
