Weston-super-Mare RFC gear up for season start with new Captain

Weston-super-Mares 1st XV will be venturing into some unknown territory this coming season as they move to the Regional 2 Tribute Ale South West League.

The club, who are marking their 150th anniversary this season have a new Club Captain with former Wales Under-18 international and ex Bristol Bears Academy player Charlie Brabham taking over the reins.

Brabham, primarily a loosehead prop who can play across the front row after transitioning from the back row, spent three months this summer in Portugal with Sport Lisboa e Benfica, commonly known as Benfica, in Lisbon.

Charlie Brabham said; “I think we have had an excellent pre-season with around fifty players for the initial few sessions, that number varied due to holidays, etc., and it seems there is a more positive attitude ahead of this campaign. We are building into hopefully a very successful season and trying to achieve the ultimate goal, obviously, of getting promoted back to the Regional 1 Tribute South West league with our 2nd and 3rdXVs also have the same aim”

"We have to continue with the big numbers at training throughout the season because consistency is vital. We have to make sure that all the players in our three senior sides are on the same page”

“Crediton will be aiming for the top spot, having missed out last season, but we enjoy playing the top teams. We toppled Chippenham and Trowbridge and came close against champions Drybrook when they came to the Rec. I think the boys are excited about the big teams like Crediton, who have been in the top four for the past three seasons. So we will be going there to put in our best performance."

Weston has retained the main cohort of players from last season, but has seen the former Zimbabwe international centre Marcus Nel and wing/full back Alex Howman return to the club from newly promoted Clifton.

Fly-half Dan Beer and back row Matt James return to the club where they previously progressed through the junior ranks, while back rows Robson Bird switches from neighbours Hornets, and Brad Hebbard moves from Old Redcliffians.

The RFU have introduced changes to promotion and relegation this coming season for clubs playing in the Regional 1 and 2 leagues, plus the Counties 1 league, which will see end-of-season play-offs.

The winners of the 12 geographical Regional 2 leagues will be promoted to one of the six

corresponding Regional 1 leagues. The teams that finish second to fifth will qualify for the

promotion play-offs.

The side that finishes 12th in Regional 2 will be relegated, while those that finish 10th and

11th will qualify for the Regional 2 Survival play-off. Regional 1 sides that finish 11th and 12th will be relegated to a Regional 2 league.

Weston United begin their Counties 3 Tribute Ale Somerset South league campaign with a home game against Wells, ko: 3 pm, while in Counties 4 Tribute Ale Somerset South, Weston Athletic are away to Wells 2ndXV, ko: 3 pm.

The reformed Weston Colts/U18s squad have a pre-season game on Friday evening away to their Chew Valley counterparts, kick-off 7.30 pm.