Rugby Club Issue 45 | Page 72

Market Rasen and Louth Market Rasen and Louth Market Rasen and Louth RFC is buoyant at the moment running three senior sides plus occasional Vets games. The junior section caters for U6’s up to U18’s and is thriving with the junior membership growing year on year. This Season The first fifteen ended in 7th position in Midlands 1 East, which is the highest league position that the club has ever achieved and represents a year on year rise of one place for each of the three seasons since promotion to that division, i.e. being 9th in 2011/12, 8th in 2012/13. The side were the only team to defeat runaway champions Peterborough Lions this season and finished on a high with three consecutive maximum points victories including a win away at Kettering where the club had never won. The side suffered injuries to several senior players during the course of the season, which accounted for a slump after Christmas and but for this the club had the potential to finish higher and are confident of doing so next season. Under head coach Ruari Pike, in his second season, the side has developed a more expansive game to build on the forward platform established in his first campaign. Progression The club has had a reputation for possessing a strong pack of forwards, but now also possess a potent backline. This has been enhanced by the return of scrumhalf Chris Everton after a two year absence due to injury and work commitments, forging an effective partnership with Matt Sutton who moved to flyhalf from his favoured fullback position out of necessity. Last season’s first choice flyhalf decided to return to his old club after only one season at Rasen and his understudy left the area after securing a new job in Scotland. With student Henry Spencer joining the club at number eight this has formed a very talented 8-9-10 unit. The success of the club has attracted players from nearby Horncastle looking to try their luck at a higher 70 ISSUE 45 level with three of them playing a part in the first team campaign. The most successful being Jake Pryer who has been a revelation at flanker, until he suffered a broken hand with a month of the season to go. Togetherness The side is captained by flanker Dave Starling, in his second season as skipper, who has lead from the front and was the sides top try scorer with 11. He is ably supported by his bro ѡ