Bay appoint South African coach

Mounts Bay have appointed a new backs and defensive coach to try and help them stay up in National League Two.

Graham Gerber comes to the Mennaye Field from top South African side Natal Sharks having helped them win the Currie Cup earlier this month.

He arrives on Cornwall on Tuesday, 4 November and will stay with the club until at least the end of February.

And the club say that if he does a good job they would look to try and keep him for a longer period.

"He will assist with the backs and defensive coaching," Bay chief executive Michael Leah told BBC Sport.

"It's a tremendous coup for the club," he added.

Bay have had trouble scoring points all season. They have only got four tries in their last three games and are bottom of National League Two.

Once he's here, if he's successful, we'd try and keep him

Mounts Bay chief executive Michael Leah

And Leah says there is no threat at all to the position of head coach Adrian Bick with the appointment of Gerber.

"There's no concern over Adrian's future," Leah said.

"We talked with Adrian before the appointment and Adrian's very happy about it. Being a forward all his life, Adrian is more of as forward man and will continue to coach the team, with Graham focusing on the backs and defence."

And if he proves successful, Leah says he would like to hold on to the South African for longer.

"Once he's here, if he's successful, we'd try and keep him.

"It all depends on the Natal Sharks, they have more of a hold on him than we do. But we'd look to get him back again if he does have to go back to South Africa."

Bay clinched their first ever win at National League Two level last Saturday with an 8-6 victory at Cornish rivals Launceston. They host Blackheath this Saturday hoping to try and get off the bottom of the table.