Step up to the Championship is just reward for Gallagher
NATIONAL 2 North top try scorer Matt Gallagher is making the step up to the Championship wuth a move to Ampthill at the end of the season.
The Sedgley Park hooker has scored 33 tries in 27 games so far this season, crediting his teammates for his sensational tally.
“Our driving maul this year has been brilliant,” Gallagher said. “I jump on the back of them and once the lads have got it going some teams haven’t been able to stop us. The open play tries have had some great work from our pack and in the backs we always keep one forward out wide, and I’ve been in the right place at the right time getting on the end of plays.”
The 23-year-old describes this season as his best yet and puts that down to the team spirit at the club.
“This is the year I’ve enjoyed my rugby the most and that’s partly down to the performances and partly down to the team,” he went on. “The culture at Sedgley has been amazing this year, we’ve all worked together towards a goal but equally we’ve bonded as mates outside of rugby.”
Sedgley look set for a top-three finish this season but Gallagher admits that is slightly underwhelming given the club set out for promotion at the start of the campaign.
“Obviously a top-three finish is not something the club will turn their nose up at,” he added. “But as a playing team we’re a bit disappointed we haven’t won the league or that there’s no play-off for second place. In terms of looking forward, however, it’s a great place to be.
“It’s been a great season as the team have come such a long way after putting in so much work through Covid. We said at the start of the season that we wanted promotion, unfortunately that hasn’t happened, but things are looking great for the club.”
Gallagher is excited at the prospect of taking the step up to Championship rugby and says that Sedgley wished him well in his move.
“At the start of our season everyone said their individual goals and mine was to play at the highest level I can and I’m moving in the right direction now,” he added. “A good season in the Championship next season and hopefully then I can go upwards again.
“The club were over the moon for me, I think they were as happy as I was. It was very clear from the start at 18, that if you’re moving on the club will be more than happy for you, they’ll support you and it’s a club where the door will always be open.
“They’d never say ‘you’re not coming back here because you left us’. I know they’ll always be there for me. I can’t wait to take my game to the next level, playing against ex-Premiership and current and former internationals, it’ll be such a good experience.”