RUGBY LEAGUE: Confident Cavaliers relishing new campaign (From Oxford Mail)

RUGBY LEAGUE: Confident Cavaliers relishing new campaign

5:49pm Tuesday 15th May 2012 in Rugby By Ed Mezzetti, Sports reporter specialising in Rugby, Cricket and Athletics. Call me on 01865 425456

OXFORD Cavaliers head coach Tevita Vaikona is delighted with his players’ commitment ahead of the new RL Conference campaign, which starts tomorrow.

Cavaliers face a tough opener in the West of England Division at last year’s champions Gloucestershire Warriors.

But they are in confident mood, having reached the semi-finals of the South West Rugby League Nines competition at Exeter.

Vaikona said: “The boys have put in a great deal of work in training, I couldn’t be happier with them.

“But now the serious work starts, and we know we need a good performance this weekend.

“Hopefully, everything we’ve done to prepare ourselves will stand us in good stead.”

Cavaliers, who host Wiltshire Wyverns at Oxford RFC the following Saturday, lost both their matches against the Warriors last season.

Chairman John Connaughton, who starts in the front row tomorrow, said: “It was tough on us last year. They’re a good team, and if you haven't brought your best performance, they’ll find you out.

“We just have to do what we’ve been doing in training, work for each other in defence, and show some composure when we've got the ball.”

Cavaliers also include full back Mario Da Silva, centre Ben Bodinham and second row Jack Briggs, who play rugby union locally.

Oxford Cavaliers (v Gloucestershire Warriors, away): Da Silva, Holmes, Fehr, Boddinham, Crisp, Turner, Hannah, Smith, Connaughton, Goldsworthy, Briggs, Lee, Jordan. Reps: Nolan, Tandy, Hodnett, James.

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