Hammond (left) and Molenaar have been key to Nottingham's success

Nottingham captain Craig Hammond and vice captain Tim Molenaar have both signed new deals, keeping them at Meadow Lane until the summer of 2011.

Coach Glenn Delaney was thrilled to retain 30-year-old back-row forward Hammond and centre Molenaar, 28.

"Craig is an inspirational leader - the sort of guy you want leading you into battle - you know he'll put his body on the line," Delaney said.

"And it is no secret Tim has been courted by a number of teams."

Hammond, who was born in Singapore but raised in New Zealand, has spent the last seven years with Nottingham, said: "It has been a difficult six months financially for Nottingham Rugby.

There are some great players here and I am positive we can go on to bigger and better things Tim Molenaar

"But we have got through the tough times together and I am thrilled to have signed for another two years.

"Our success has been built around a tight-knit group of players who will do anything for each other and if we can keep the majority of this squad together then we can go places.

"I am proud to play for Nottingham Rugby and I am proud to call Nottingham my home.

"You only had to be at Meadow Lane for the cup semi-final against Leeds to know that this club is going somewhere.

"The atmosphere that our passionate fans generated that Sunday was a big factor in my decision to sign for another two years - I am sure there is more of that to come from the people of Nottingham and we will back that up with success on the field."

Molenaar, twice named in the National One team of the year, has been with the Green and Whites for five years and believes the club has a bright future.

"This time of the year is always a bit crazy and I had a number of other offers from other teams but there is only one club I wanted to play for," he said.

"There are some great players here and I am positive we can go on to bigger and better things."

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