Russ expecting a big reaction
6:00am Friday 14th September 2012 in Latest Sport News By Andy Warren
GAVIN Russ has tipped Supermarine to bounce back quickly from their opening day humiliation when they host Walcot tomorrow.
Marine went down 75-0 at home to Sherborne in their first game since being promoted to Southern Counties South, and were given the cruellest of introductions to their new division by one of the favourites for promotion.
But first-team coach Russ is convinced all is not lost, and has backed his side to quickly learn the lessons they were taught on the opening day.
“Last week I think the pace of the game and the physicality got to us a little bit, and it was certainly a little bit of a rude awakening for us as a team,” he said.
“The positive thing for us though is the way they reacted after the game.
“We were beaten, and we were beaten very heavily, but we have to remember we were beaten by a very good side indeed.
“Sherborne are a quality outfit, and I am sure they will be near the top, if not at the top, when the season comes to and end.
“The way the players reacted after the game was the positive thing for me, because they refused to be too down or too upset or despondent, and they want to put things right.”
The Supermarine players have continued to show a positive attitude in training this week, and Russ is pleased with the way they have prepared for the game with Walcot.
“They know they can do a lot better and that is the main thing, and ever since the game they have been fantastic,” he said.
“It is not doom and gloom here, because we always try to look to the positives and we can do a lot better.
“We need to improve at the breakdown, and we need to return to how we know we can do things if we are going to get anything out of the game.
“We have worked hard all week in training, and moving on now towards the weekend we are looking to put things right, and right a few wrongs.
“This whole league is new to us and we are always finding things out about this league, and Walcot were a midtable side last season so it is hard to know exactly what to expect from them.”
Elsewhere in Southern Counties South, Wootton Bassett travel to Oakmeadians looking to continue their winning start to the season after beating Frome 20-13 on the opening day.
In the Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier, Swindon College Old Boys travel to Chipping Norton after beating Bicester 40-17 in their opening game.
