Buckle: Carnegie still have Ealing in sights
JOE BUCKLE believes Yorkshire Carnegie’s high standing in the Championship is testament to the strength of character within the squad.
For a side that reached last year’s play-off final, third may not seem that impressive; but stringent cutbacks and injuries to key players meant this campaign was always going to be an uphill struggle.
“Considering the challenges that we have faced, with no pre-season games because of injuries and a shortfall in the amount of loan players, to be third at the turn of the year shows the sort of characters we’ve got within the team,” said the hooker.
“No-one has thrown the towel in. We’ve won seven of the last eight so we’re doing all we can on the pitch. Hopefully, in terms of the budget, we’ll get something back for our efforts.”
Uncertainty over next season’s finances continues to linger but the sense of togetherness at Carnegie is stronger than it has been for quite some time.
“We’ve heard things that you might not want to hear but everyone takes each week as it comes,” added converted England U18 flanker Buckle, now 24.
“Credit to everyone at the club, we’ve continued to fight hard and have fun at the same time and I think that’s reflected in our league position.
“Hopefully, in the next three to four months, we can continue to put our best foot forward and try to catch Ealing.”
The former Jersey man has contributed hugely in his first season at Headingley, making the No.2 jersey his own and scoring eight tries. Out of contract at the end of the season, the Plymouth-born player hopes that one day he’ll get a crack at the Premiership.
“Everyone wants to play in the Premiership and I am working hard to get there,” he said. “It’s about nailing down this position, getting my setpiece right and then seeing what happens in the next year or so.
“I had a bad knee injury a couple of years ago so that pegged me back but I’m close to playing 100 games in the Championship and Cup (for Pirates, Jersey and Carnegie) but I don’t want to stay at this level forever.”