Northampton Demons venture to Swindon on September 5th for their National Semi Final fixture against Neath Port Talbot Steelers.
Buoyed by a convincing quarter final demolition of Leamington Royals, the Demons will be approaching the game with confidence but it will be tempered by the knowledge that the Steelers demolished Elmbridge Eagles 72 – 22 in their own quarter final tie. The coaching staff will be undertaking as much research on the Steelers in the next 10 days to pinpoint their strengths and weaknesses. Such research paid dividends last year at both the semi final and final stages.
No injuries were reported after Sunday’s game and there are just 3 training sessions for the staff to prepare the team. Gary Campbell commented, “After a shaky start against Leamington the team stuck to the plan and ended up with their just rewards. The game against the Steelers will be a much harder test so we need to be switched on mentally at every training session and during the game. We are focused on the next 80 minutes of knock out football and nothing else.”
“I’m really looking forward to the game as we will be testing ourselves against a strong and skilful Welsh team who has everything to play for. We were really pleased that Goodman returned to the team at full back on Sunday and another new player, Fred Woods, has been a revelation on the paddock. It just shows you the quality of Rugby players that are available within the county. I would encourage more players to try their hand at the sport.”
The team is 80 minutes away from reaching the National Final of the competition and the winners will play either Jarrow Vikings or Parkside Hawks. Both teams have history with Northampton. Parkside were defeated by Norths at the quarter final stage last year and Jarrow were defeated by Northampton in last year’s final.
12 months ago at the semi final stage the club took over 100 spectators to the Twickenham Stoop to watch the team defeat Devon Sharks. This year Joe Smith is asking for a similar response from anyone connected with the club or followers of the sport.
He said,” for this game I am asking supporters / volunteers / friends / junior players and parents of the juniors to travel to Swindon to support the side. Last year over 100 people travelled to watch the team defeat Devon Sharks in the semi final. This effort gave such a boost to all the players and it carried them through the game. The players felt so proud as they walked out on to the pitch knowing they had such a large support behind them.”
“Believe me the Devon team were intimidated by the amount of support we had at the game and it affected their performance. After our victory the players walked over to the stand full of Northampton supporters and acknowledged the teams’ 18th man. I am asking you all for a repeat of that feat. It is events like this that make our club the success it is and draws players of all ages to our club.”
“Northampton Rugby League has both juniors and adults within its ranks but we are one club sharing in each other’s success. Please support this side on the 5th September; this is your team right now and in the future. Games are not only won on the field, they are won by clubs pulling together and making that special effort.”
He ended his rallying call by stating, “Northampton RL has always prided itself on a “One Club” ethos from the under 11′s to the adult teams and right now your Adult Team needs you, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!!
Please contact Andrew Quirke about the clubs supporters coach’s that will be travelling down to Swindon.
Last but not least, wanna be media star, Tony Hetherington spent Friday night being interviewed by Northampton Rugby League Club and said the following, ” The club is buzzing at the moment, knowing that we are only 80 minutes away from the National Final but there’s a tough task ahead of us with the Steelers. ”
“We haven’t played them before and who we don’t know much about but we will just do what we’ve done all season and play Demon Rugby. It’s a credit to this group of people that we have come this far this year with such a different team than we had last season, a few of the lads are held together with sticky tape and bandages at the moment.”
“Our strength in depth we have means that we are strong all over the park and if it gels together like it did last week against Leamington then the Steelers will have to play very well to get anything out of this side.”
Thanks Tony for your weekly comments!
Pictured is Frank Barlow in a recent match vs Bedford. Picture courtesy of Ben Ring
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