LONGTON HAVE PLENTY MORE TO OFFER, INSISTS HEAD COACH
GEORGE Glenn has overseen an impressive start by his Longton side in Midlands Two West North, but insists their performances have barely scratched the surface.
Longton won all three matches before the first break of the season to sit in third place in the early standings.
That is a big tick in the box for the club’s head coach after 18 months away from competitive rugby because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Glenn has preached that the lengthy absence meant that it would take time for his players to get back in the groove - and he says there’s even more to come.
“I’m really happy to have won three out of three, and I’m also pleased that we feel there is a lot of room for improvement,” he said.
“We can still get better in how we perform. We probably needed the break after three games, as mad as that sounds
“We’ve got a few broken bodies already after missing so much rugby, and there will be a couple of lads missing on Saturday as a result.
“We gave the lads a session off last week so they could have a proper break and to enable them to recover.”
Longton resume their league campaign tomorrow with a trip to play Camp Hill.
They were beaten on their last visit to the Solihull-based club - and on paper might be seen as favourites to make amends for that loss this weekend.
Camp Hill have lost two of their three matches, but Glenn says delving deeper into their start paints a different picture.
“They have lost to Walsall and Leek, who are both going well - and have scored points against both,” added Glenn.
“There’s no point reading anything into their results. We’re fully aware of the threat that they pose.
“We lost down there pre-covid on a wet, muddy day, so we know that they are a good side.
“For us, Saturday is a bit of a test.
As I say, we’ll be missing a couple of players, but it’s a challenge to show the strength that we have in the squad.
“The pleasing thing is that stuff we’re working on in training is paying off on a Saturday.
“However, it’s important that we don’t stand still, we still want to move forward and progress.”
Elsewhere in Midlands Two West North, LEEK make the journey to CREWE & NANTWICH, while Stafford entertain Old Saltleians.
NEWCASTLE hit the road to Tamworth and UTTOXETER have home advantage against Moseley Oak.
IN Midlands Premier, SANDBACH will attempt to pick up where they left off after an excellent start to the season.
The Cheshire outfit won five of their five six matches, with the only blot on their copybook being a late defeat by Newport.
They mark their return to action with a trip to Paviors.
STOKE enjoyed a flying start to the Midlands One West campaign with six successive wins leaving them in second place.
They are only kept off top spot by Lichfield, who have secured tow more bonus points than Chris Rowley’s men.
Stoke play host to mid-table Whitchurch this weekend as they attempt to stretch their winning run to seven matches.
IN Midlands Three West North, ECCLESHALL, who have lost both of their games, head to Telford Hornets.
Telford have won all three matches so far this season.