One of the trickledown effects of National League rugby just along the road at Cambridge is that Shelford have accumulated a fearsome squad. Before I get comments from those in Shelford colours, I am well aware that the club has a sterling history and traditions of its own and for many years probably held the balance of power locally! However, some vastly experienced campaigners have made their way to the Davey Field to be coached by Sam Tovo and his team and they'll be going all-out for an assault on the London One title this season. Latest additions to the squad include ex-Cambridge players, prop James Armitage (via Beverley in Yorkshire), full-back Mike Campbell (from Blaydon) and flanker James Ball. Also new to the club is former Darlington Mowlem Park flanker Tony Begovich, whilst Phil Bullen-Brown returns to the wing from a year out injured. Other names familiar locally to the wider rugby community are prop Teddy Saunders, hooker Kramer Ronaki, centre Dafydd Lewis, wing Dom Jones, skipper Alex Birkby, lock Ed Mills and fly-half Tommy Dann. Dann, also a prominent local youth rugby coach, is bullish. "The squad's stayed together," he says. "First time out we came fifth, last season third and this season is the one where we want to go one stage better, preferably National Three South."  | 606: DEBATE |
Their pre-season friendly against Cambridge Wanderers was anything but - the game was as tough as they come. Given that Cambridge's pack was mostly composed of last season's squad players from their National Two campaign, notice has been served of Shelford's intentions. Shelford play a hugely attritional 'smash and grab' style of rugby, based on their imposing pairing of coach Tovo and compatriot Aki Lea, surely a player capable of playing much higher up the national scale. Rampaging forwards, slick backs and the metronomic boot of Dann keep the team ticking over. They lost just six times in the league last season, and beat Cambridge Wanderers in the Eastern Counties Cup Final. Promotion beckons, but it will be a long hard road. I'm betting they succeed. There's a battle-hardened team spirit that is the core of all winning teams that should see them through. Shelford begin their London One campaign at Haywards Heath on Saturday.
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