I caught up with player/coach Ash Smith over coffee recently to seek his thoughts on pre-season for the senior men and the upcoming league campaign. He first explained that the group, though disappointed and frustrated, have come to terms with their relegation from Regional 1 North East at the death last season and are determined to be back playing at Level 5 this time next year. "Pre-season is going really well, with a number of new faces, and with numbers up overall, the injury and unavailability issues which affected us so much last season will hopefully not be so much of an issue this coming campaign." There will, sadly, be a number of early season absentee's as players recover from injuries and niggles sustained last season but Ash was upbeat "Relegation was tough but that is sport. We have most of the squad from last year and the experience of playing at Regional 1 level will stand us in good stead. With new players adding to the mix, I think Park will be very competitive and very exciting this season and promotion is definitely the aim. That said, the introduction of play-offs will be interesting but whatever the format, we will I am sure be there or thereabouts come the end of the season."
After what can only be described as a training session against a touring Oldham RFC last weekend, Park face three pre season games before the opening league fixture at West Hartlepool on Saturday 6 September, KO 3pm.
Tomorrow, Saturday 9 August, Park take on Medicals and Manchester Rugby in a round robin set of games at Preson Avenue, KO 1.45pm
Saturday 16 August vs newly promoted Regional 1 side Middlesbrough at Preston Avenue
Saturday 23 August vs Scottish National 1 side Boroughmuir in Edinburgh
Fixtures and KO times for the last two games to be confirmed - please check club social media platforms