BULLS SUFFER FROM INJURIES AND DEPARTURES

Rugby

The new men in charge at Aylesford Bulls have problems before the season has even started.

Director of rugby Neil Wiltshire and coach Jay Jenkins are without a recognised backs division just two weeks before their London 3 South East opener at Sheppey.

Ben Ridout and Stevie Stewart have joined Dover and Medway respectively, while serious injuries have robbed them of Dion Comerford (broken foot), Jon Alderton, Dan Batstone (both knee ligaments) and James Batstone (shoulder). On top of that, Will Kelly is off to university.

Bulls finished in third place last year but, in their current situation, there’s no promotion talk.

Wiltshire said: “The two with knee ligament injuries have had reconstructive surgery and probably won’t play this season.

“Dion has broken two bones in his foot, one of which is refusing to mend, so he could be out for a few months and James is looking at a good few months with his shoulder.

“All these injuries happened in the last couple of weeks of last season.

“With the injuries and players leaving, we’ve lost a complete backs division.

“We’ll be OK but I don’t think we can make any promotion predictions because we’re that light on players.

“We’ve got a number of youngsters who are looking good and we’ve made one or two signings from people turning up but we’ve not been able to do much recruiting.

“The quicker we get players back, the better.”

Wiltshire and Jenkins succeed Andy Dawling, who has joined Saracens as a fulltime development coach since leaving the Jack Williams Ground.

Dawling combined director of rugby and head coach duties but Aylesford believe it makes sense to share the workload. Wiltshire said: “Andy did both roles but we decided that it’s probably better at our level – and all levels – to separate the jobs.

“It gets too much for one person when you’re trying to oversee all the rugby in the club and coach the first team.”

Aylesford Bulls Rugby Club are recruiting players of all ages and abilities.

Anyone looking to switch clubs or get back into the sport after a break is welcome to turn up.

Training sessions take place from 7.309pm on Tuesday and Thursday at the Jack Williams Memorial Ground on Hall Road, Aylesford.

Contact director of rugby Neil Wiltshire on 07747 616309 or first-team coach Jay Jenkins on 07889 545955.