TAMAR Saracens will take on teams from around the country this weekend when they travel to Cheltenham for the British Saracens Rugby Sevens Tournament.
The event, which is hosted by Cheltenham Saracens, will feature sides from London, Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Coventry, Newport as well as Gloucestershire.
For Devon One side Saracens it is a chance to bond before the start of the 2018/19 season. They will return for pre-season training on July 3.
The club have also got themselves a special ‘funky’ kit for this weekend’s event, which was arranged by Saracens back and England Deaf international Steve Hodge.
Player Joey Pook is certainly looking forward to a social weekend away with the team.
He said: “Since joining from Tavistock three seasons ago I haven’t had a pre or post-season tour with Sarries.
“Socially the team are fantastic and the club is brilliant in supporting us, but people have tried in the past and people say yes on paper but then there is no action.
“But this season, with the support from Kyle Andrews, we have been able to arrange a pre-season tour away to the Saracens Sevens Festival in Cheltenham.
“With only a month’s notice, we have got 20 guys attending the tour, which is an outstanding effort.”
He added: “The social committee of Marc Cioffi, Adam Corbett and James McFarlane arranged a fantastic dinner-dance and have been able to raise a fair amount of money for the tour. That will cover fuel, kit, beer kitty etc, which makes the lads wallets feel a little better.
“Steve Hodge, of the England Deaf sevens team, has made a great contribution by training the lads with the help of Duncan Campbell. Steve has also produced the team with a funky sevens summer kit. He will also be attending the tour and playing in the tournament which, on and off the pitch, will be a great asset.”
Tamar Saracens have a new coaching team for 2018/19. It will be led by head coach Pete Lethbridge, with Dean Oram the fowards coach and Mark Binnie looking after the backs.
At the club’s recent dinner dance, James McFarlane won the players’ player of the year. Alex Isreal claimed the coaches/committee award, while Pook was most improved player. Liam Minter, Sam Gough and Bradley Yeoman won second team awards, with Ryan Deacon picked up the Captain’s Cup.
Wales international Aaron Jarvis was guest of honour at Saracens awards and presented the trophies.
Jarvis, who has spent the past two seasons playing for French club ASM Clermont Auvergne, got his first taste of senior rugby at Saracens and has always said he will play for them again before he retires. He has just signed for the Dragons.
Meanwhile, DHSOB have appointed Martyn Ruskin as their new head coach for the 2018/19 season.
Ruskin is a former Old Boys player and has been head coach of Plymouth Albion Ladies and the Royal Navy women’s team in recent years.
