AND HUNGRY

WOOLSTON coach John Fieldhouse begins his first season in charge of amateur Rugby League giants Woolston Rovers confident that he has prepared his men in the best way possible.

The former Warrington prop explained: "The 12-week training plan I put in place has paid dividends.

"In the space of eight weeks about 80 per cent of the lads improved their scores on a bleep test by two levels.

"That is very pleasing and it shows the plans I put in place are working."

Since their dominance of the National Confrence Premier Division in the early to mid nineties they have fell off the pace as they have been rebuilding over the last few seasons.

But Fieldhouse says that things are beginning to turn round: "We have a lot of new faces down and past players coming back and have had 50 plus attending training for two open age teams."

Woolston open their campaign at Saddleworth on Saturday.

Former Trafford Borough professional stand off Graham Smith gets back off his honeymoon tomorrow, Friday, and Fieldhouse said: "If he phones me when he gets back he will be on the bench on Saturday."

An injection of youth is also part of the coach's masterplan this year.

He said: "There are five or six 18-year-olds pushing for places in the squad and probably two in contention for a starting place."

Fianlly Fieldhouse outlined how he envisaged the season ahead: "West Hull, Skirlaugh and Leigh Miners will be the main challengers.

"A top four finish is my aim and then a top two finish next season.

"Saddleworth are also a top team and if we could beat them on Saturday it would be a real scalp.

"Confidence would be sky high going into the next game against newly promoted side Ideal Isberg who I think we should take two points off.

"We have had three good pre-season wins and everyone is buzzing, the club has been spruced up and we are more sorted financially, so a good season is expected."

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