We know this season will be our toughest yet. We are a side packed with real potential and some great young players coming through but we don’t have the same experience as the sides we will face and so we are pretty realistic about what is ahead.

- Ali Donnelly

As they prepare for life in their new and tougher league in Championship South West 2, the ladies have been recruiting hard all season with the aim of fielding two sides this year again - with a second development team getting off the ground.

That side has now confirmed five fixtures in the coming months and will also enter the Middlesex Cup but all eyes will be on the league action to come with Antlers kicking off with some very challenging games against probable title favourites Trojans and Bath in the
opening weeks.

Having welcomed experienced coach Louise Meadows to the setup this season, there has been a real focus on conditioning and fitness over preason as the girls prepare for a much more physically demanding league season.

The 34-5 win over Hammersmith and Fulham saw Antlers put on a strong showing up front in particular while the equally convincing win over lower-league Kilburn saw the backs stretch their wings a bit more.

Coach Ali Donnelly says there are no illusions about the season ahead. “We know this season will be our toughest yet. We are a side packed with real potential and some great young players coming through but we don’t have the same experience as the sides we will face and so we are pretty realistic about what is ahead.”

“We have modest aims - stay in the league first and foremost and at the same time build up our resources so that we can once again field a second team. For us those would be significant achievements and then next year we can think about building on that.”

Forwards coach Charlie Veale agrees: “Our players know how tough the games will be and know that it will be nothing like last year. At the same time we have a very together squad who work incredibly hard and we are confident that we can spring a few surprises. Everyone is looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

Off the field, Teddington’s work to grow the game has seen it listed for numerous awards recently. Runners up for the National Women’s Team of the Year award to Premiership side Saracens recently, Antlers coach Ali Donnelly has also been nominated for a Middlesex coaching award while player Becky Piddlestone is also nominated for a volunteering award. You can vote for the duo here.

http://www.middlesexrugby.com/communityrugby/RWCawards/

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