Options for Barking as they prepare for Redruth test

Colin Munford Friday, January 18, 2013
12.19 PM

After this first win of the season against Chinnor last weekend, director of rugby Nick Warren knows it will be difficult for a repeat result at third-placed Redruth.

A few weeks ago Barking’s director of rugby Nick Warren was bemoaning his lack of options — but fast forward to now and it is a totally different matter at Gale Street, writes Colin Munford.

Barking broke their duck for the National Two South season with a 36-24 home win over Chinnor on Saturday.

And although without the services of club captain Craig Ratford due to a recurrence of an old shoulder injury, recent additions have strengthened the Goresbrook outfit.

And they have received a further boost with the news that Tom Yellowlees is set to make a return to training following a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a neck injury.

Ratford’s prognosis has since revealed he could return in two weeks instead of the four initially suggested. But with the likes of Oliver Forrest impressing at the weekend in his absence, Warren believes it is no certainty the club captain will come straight back in.

“For one of the first times this season we have options,” said Warren.

“The bench is strong and anyone can come off of it and make an impact. Having Tom back around the team is great, but it may be a few weeks before he’s available as he steps up his fitness.

“At times we would have had to rush a player back from injury, but now we can afford to give players the rest and recuperation they need.”

Following on from their first win of the season is a trip to third-placed Redruth this weekend.

And while Warren knows how tough the challenge will be in Cornwall, he wants another improved performance.

He added: “We know how strong Redruth are going to be but it is more about our development than anything else.

“We’ll go there fighting and ready for a battle. There are more than 50 points to battle for and if we can put ourselves in a position going into the last game of the season against Lydney at home needing a win to stay up I will be confident we can pull it off.”

As the Post went to press, Warren was hopeful of adding a new second row to Barking’s squad that would “set tongues wagging”.

He added: “Hopefully by the end of the week we will have been able to add another second row to the squad which will set tongues wagging.”