PLAYER-COACH Sam Viggers insists Stroud can challenge for a top-two spot this season.
Promotion from the Gloucester Premier saw the Fromehall outfit adapt well at Western Counties North level and a confidence boosting fifth-placed finish has left the club in rude health - and Viggers is keen to kick-on.
He said: “After promotion from Gloucester Premier last season we always knew it was going to be a step up in level and the quality was going to be a lot better and we would have to be consistent and committed to compete in the new league.
“We had a great start to the season and found good form early on and I ensured the players were as fit as they could be with a massive emphasis on keeping the ball and not forcing any errors, as in this league you get punished by the opposition if you give the ball away and are not tight in the defence.
“We ended up finishing fifth after losing a few games in the last month of the season, these games should have been won and it was down to a few injuries and maybe the realisation that the play-off spot wasn’t achievable any longer.
“Looking back on our finishing position it was a great season for the club fresh into a new league and to compete like we did and finish in the top five is something I am massively proud of very player that was involved last year.”
Stroud return to pre-season training on July 5 and the team are set to be put through their paces, according to Viggers, who is hopeful of adding a few fresh faces.
He added: “I have prepared a tough pre-season to make sure we hit the ground running in September - and now we know what this league is about I am expecting the players to really step-up and commit fully to training and working hard to improve on last season and challenge for a top-two finish.
“I have a great deal of confidence in our squad, which has remained in tact and with a few new additions I truly believe we can challenge promotion and again move Stroud RFC another step closer to the level we deserve to be in.”
Any new players wishing to join the club are welcome to attend pre-season training at Fromehall Park,July 5 (6.45pm).
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