RUGBY UNION: Bicester back youth to shine (From Oxford Mail)

RUGBY UNION: Bicester back youth to shine

10:00am Thursday 16th February 2012 in Sport By Ed Mezzetti

BICESTER manager Mike Hutchinson says they are already building for next season after conceding they won’t win promotion from the BB&O Premier Division.

Hutchinson pointed to the club’s talented youngsters, many of whom have broken into the first team, as hinting at a bright future.

But even though Bicester are in fourth place with six matches to play, Hutchinson says the 12-point deficit to second is too much to make up.

“We are just blooding the young players for next year,” he said.

“We have left it a little too late to challenge for promotion, especially as Drifters and Thatcham are going so well.

“If we finish fourth that will be fantastic, but if we want to challenge next year, we know how hard that will be.”

Bicester underwent a coaching reshuffle after Alec Smith stepped down in mid-season, with former fly half Ross Kenny coming in as head coach.

Hutchinson said that ex-Oxford prop Tony Staples was also having a big impact as scrum coach.

But he stressed much of the credit for Bicester’s rise to fourth should go to their youngsters.

“We have got three colts playing regular first-team rugby,” said Hutchinson.

“Jack Horwood at seven, Dave Aslett on the wing and Chris Clayton in the second row are all making their mark.

“We are getting the youngsters up and running and they want to prove they are worthy of a place.

“Competition is good as are numbers in training.

“Our second team are fighting for promotion from BB&O Division 3 as well.”

Meanwhile, Bicester are hosting a 20th anniversary reunion dinner on March 31 for the team that reached the Provincial Insurance Cup final at Twickenham in 1992.

The event coincides with Bicester’s home league game against Swindon College.