Borough and Oundle both begin at home

Big rivals Borough and Oundle both start their Midlands Division One campaigns with home fixtures on Saturday.

Borough entertain Northampton Old Scouts at Fengate while Oundle take on Old Northamptonians at Occupation Road (both 3pm kick-off ).

It’s been all change at Borough on the coaching front during the summer with Phil Powell coming in as the new head coach and Sam Crooks returning to his roots after a spell with Peterborough Lions to take on the role of player/coach.

Powell takes over from Lee Adamson, who is now club coach overseeing all coaching areas. Crooks replaces Nico Steenkamp.

Powell has plenty of coaching experience having worked with Bedford Blues Academy, Olney and Northampton Saints Under 18s. He is currently rugby programme manager at Tresham College and head coach for the Midlands Under 18 age group.

He said: “I am delighted to have joined a club which shows so much promise as a whole club.

“I strongly feel with what we have in place at Peterborough we have a great opportunity to build on what has already been achieved and take this club to the next level.”

While Borough have been boosted by the acquisition of Crooks, Oundle have also had their ranks bolstered by an arrival from Peterborough Lions.

Flanker Chris Humphrey, the outstanding Lions captain last season, has joined several of his old Lions teammates at Oundle and will be a key man in their bid for promotion.

Sam Crooks.