Centre Mike Gardiner has been handed the added responsibility of captaining Whitchurch Rugby Club’s first team ahead of the start of their new Midlands One West season this weekend.
Local lad Gardiner, a product of the Edgeley Park club’s junior section, takes over from Chris Hares, who endured such a tough time with injuries last season, in the top job.He will take charge for the first time when the Reds kick off their new campaign at home to Bournville on Saturday.
By way of irony, the north Shropshire side ended last season against the Birmingham club.
Ginger Wills’s men will now be looking to build on the major step in the right direction they enjoyed last season which saw them involved in the promotion race at one stage before ultimately finishing fifth.
“We were going very well but then had a little bit of a bad run after Christmas,” recalled Whitchurch president John Gregory.
“I don’t make predictions about how we will do and we’ll just have to see how it goes.
“It will be an interesting season and bonus points have been brought in for the first time in our division.
“Instead of collecting just two points for a win, you can now get a maximum of five points for a victory.”
Whitchurch are set to have a similar look to last season, though three of their players are currently out of the country.Gareth Wills, son of coach Ginger, is in Hong Kong while both Matt Giddings and Andy Barrie are still in Australia.
By Stuart Dunn