Furness
Rugby
Furness Rugby Union Football Club
Furness Rugby Union Football Club
Founded 1902
Founded 1902
The Strawberry Grounds, Croslands Park Road, Off Abbey Road, Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, LA13 9LA
Tel :-
Saturday 25th February 2012
Furness 1st XV v Kirkby Lonsdale
Steve’s Pre-
Furness must dust themselves down after the bitterly disappointing narrow defeat by Millom last week which leaves the blues pinned at rock bottom but with a game in hand over last weeks victors. Both clubs are certainly doomed and whilst Furness will care not what happens to Millom they will be determined to end the season at least one place above their present position. So it is with a little more than pride at stake that Furness travel to Kirkby Lonsdale this coming Saturday.
Kirkby are occupying second position courtesy only of points differential and will view Furness's visit as a potential maximum pointer and an opportunity to take over at the top from Fleetwood. Furness will need all the pride and passion that they can muster and players must stand up and be counted and give their support to coach Rod Singleton.
Singleton has had insufficient support from players between games and the forthright, no nonsense, Cumbrian expects players to match his own commitment. Certainly this is true of the blue pack who looked a much better organised unit both in the set and the loose however outside this the blue backs look hesitant and indecisive. Furness will need both elements to operate equally well if they are to salvage points from the remainder of the season.
Not good news therefore with the news that prop Adam Pearce will be out of action for sometime with an arm injury sustained through what can best be described as a cheap shot last week. Furness have cover up front but will miss Pearce's infectious enthusiasm not to mention his power. The backs will be of equal concern to selectors who could think of skipper Phil Brockbank lending his experience in the centre to take some of the burden of the excellent Jack Clements. Young Ethan Davies, by his own standards, had a difficult game last week but he will bounce back with his usual determination and panache safe in the knowledge that he has the full support of the club who will not tolerate over zealous behaviour from the touchline.
There are a few difficult Saturday afternoons facing the men in blue, no more so than this week. If they can rally themselves to follow the lead of their coach they can enter all remaining games without pressure, looking to pull of a few surprises and upsets along the way. The team will be selected late, players will be asked to meet at 11:30 for cars from the club for a 2:15 KO.