George Loughlin gives us his preview of the 2024/2025 rugby season, which looks to be one of the most exciting ever for Royal Wootton Bassett.
The RWBRFC 1st XV return to Level 5 action in Regional 1 Tribute South West following their promotion having won 21 of their 22 league matches last season.
They will be under no illusions about the scale of the task as this amounts to a huge step up in quality. The 1st XV coaching squad under Alan Low, Director of Rugby is unchanged with senior coaches Stuart Roberts, Dave Floyd and John Kimberley assisted by Mike Barber on a consultancy basis.
The season kicks off at the Royal Wootton Bassett Beer Festival with a home match to Chew Valley on Sept 7th. Chew Valley will be one of six new opponents for the club, the others being Lydney, Matson, Sidmouth, St. Austell and Barnstaple. The club and its supporters will certainly be clocking up the miles this season.
The season sees our 2nd XV once again competing at Level 7 in the Counties 1 Tribute Southern South division.
The league consists entirely of quality 1st XVs except for local rivals Chippenham who will also be represented by their 2nd XV. Bassett are again led by team manager and club stalwart Chris Sugden. He will be supported by the very experienced pair of Kyle Lovell and Tim Gallimore.
The first match is a trip to Salisbury 1st XV away on September 7th.
The 3rd XV will be playing at Level 8 in Counties 2 Tribute Dorset & Wilts North with the 4th XV at Level 9 in Counties 3 Tribute Dorset & Wilts North.
The two teams will operate as a squad for training and are lucky to have the services of coaches Ged Burgwyn, Owen Richardson, Gary Smith, Brian Joseph and Kev Kessell.
The thirds start their season with a home game at the Royal Wootton Bassett Beer Festival against Swindon College Old Boys 1st XV on September 7th. The fourths start a little later with a home game with Supermarine 1st XV on September 21st.
Good luck to all the teams this season and hopefully a successful and enjoyable season lies ahead for players and supporters alike.
Kick off the 24-25 season with us at the Royal Wootton Bassett RFC BEER FESTIVAL 2024 featuring two thrilling rugby matches:
🏉 Two Rugby Matches 🎸 Three Live Bands 🍺 Craft Beer & Real Ales 🍔 Festival Barbecue 🎠 Scarrott’s Funfair
See all we have planned for the Beer Festival at rwbrfc.club/news/beer-festival-2024
