RUGBY UNION: All change at Gosford (From Oxford Mail)

RUGBY UNION: All change at Gosford

9:42am Thursday 11th September 2008

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BB&O Premier Division

Gosford All Blacks have a new coach and a team's worth of new players as they seek a big improvement.

Alec Smith has taken over as coach from Nathan Brooks, who is now in charge at Aylesbury.

Smith said their aims were a top-five finish or better with an updated style of play.

He is looking to rebuild the seond team and involve Gosford's under 16s in as much senior rugby as possible.

Smith's tips to star are wing/full back Elliot Newell, who "has great skills and strength and is disgustingly quick" and flanker Anthony McClellan, "a very powerful and well-drilled" player.

IN: Tom Brakel (flanker, Ottawa Irish), Joel Walker (unattached), Dan Thiele (inside centre, Old Emanuel), Dan Lucas (hooker), Elliot Newell (wing/full back, St Edward's School), Dave Lloyd (flanker, St Edward's School), Steve Flynn (outside centre, Oxford), Ben Bodenham (centre, Bicester), Dave Brogan (prop, Bicester), Chris Willberg (wing, unattached), Barry Holloway (flanker, Banbury), Anthony McClellan (flanker, Banbury), Freddie Watkins (unattached), Aymeric Ozoux (half back, Bicester), Andrew Schwarz (centre, unattached), Doug Blogg (centre, St Edward's School).

OUT: Jack Clarke (back row, moved away), Chris Sawyer (back row, moved away), Will Machin (prop, retired injured), Marcus Stevens (hooker/back row, Aylesbury), Nathan Brooks (player coach, Aylesbury).

ONE TO WATCH: Elliot Newell (backs), Anthony McClellan (forwards).

LAST SEASON: 8th.

PREDICTION: Top four.

Harwell will be relying on their forwards as the newly-promoted club seek to survive.

They are still looking to recruit players for both their first and second teams, and have a new website – www.harwell-rfc.com

IN: Rob Froud-Williams (half back, back from travelling), Tom Eaton (half back, Newport Salop), Lee Lewis (fly half, back from injury).

OUT: Andy Paton (scrum half, moved away).

ONE TO WATCH: Lee Lewis

LAST SEASON: 3rd, BB&O Division 1 South.

PREDICTION: Survival.

Oxford will be among the favourites for promotion, Abingdon should reach mid-table, but Wheatley will struggle to avoid relegation.

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