Healy predicts brighter times ahead for relegated St Mary’s

ST Mary’s Old Boys begin life in the unfamiliar surroundings of Western Counties North with a challenging home clash against Barton Hill tomorrow (2.30pm).

A traditional powerhouse of Combination rugby, Mary’s dropped out of South West One West last season with barely a whimper. But with Dave Healy at the helm as director of rugby and a new-look coaching team in place, the club have begun to rebuild and are again looking to the future with hope.

Fly-half Mark Armstrong and back-five forward Eddie Smith, two arrivals from Weston-super-Mare, are set to make a big impression on and off the pitch as player-coaches. Other fresh recruits include prop James Gallagher (Weston), lock Ryan Cox (Clifton), plus fly-half/centre Chris Liptrott (Maidenhead), and Healy hopes to make a couple more signings.

He said: “The atmosphere at the club is very positive. There’s certainly no doom and gloom after what happened last season – and there’s good ambition looking ahead. We obviously need to consolidate this year and halt the slide as we start to push our way back.”

Smith’s arrival, in particular, appears certain to have a big impact on Mary’s. “Eddie has a lot to offer because of his experience,” added Healy. “He’s played at a good level all his rugby career and we can already see that rubbing off on the younger guys.”

Sam Steer has been re-elected captain of Barton Hill, with Ian Patten and Mark ‘Taffy’ Hughes again sharing the coaching duties.

Bristol tighthead Wayne Thompson is the new head coach at

Former Memorial Ground favourite Phil Cue is back at the club as an assistant coach after a season’s break.

Openside Chris Underwood, who has completed his studies at Worcester University, starts at home tomorrow against promoted

Thornbury, who last season lost a promotion play-off with Wadebridge Camels, face Berry Hill at home.

Hooker Mike Sander captains the side for a second season. Sam Olde and Sean Kavanagh have moved on but Ben Fowkes returns from a spell in Plymouth ands half-back twins Jack and Richard Pearce have completed their studies at Reading University.