Shelford Rugby Club still have plenty left to play for during second half of Regional 1 South East campaign

With a shot at the Regional 1 South East title looking unlikely, director of rugby Will Cotterill has revealed that Shelford have set themselves their own targets for the second half of the season.

The Peacocks have adapted well to life at a higher level, racking up nine wins from their opening 13 fixtures to sit fourth with a game in hand on the teams in second and third, both of whom are within touching distance.

However, barring a dramatic collapse, first place looks to have already been sewn up by Westcombe Park. The Orpington-based outfit have a perfect record so far this term, which in turn has allowed them to open up a 16-point lead at the summit.

Nevertheless, Cotterill has insisted that his side still has plenty left to play during their remaining nine fixtures.

“We’ve dropped points in a couple of games where we shouldn’t have but overall we’re really happy with where we are,” he said.

“We’re also playing a better standard of rugby than we were this time last year and the new recruits have settled in well.

“For the rest of the season we have set our own goals. Westcombe Park are way out in front and deservedly so.

“Second spot is the next best place and that is something we’re aiming for. We’re in the running for that at the moment so we’ll look to keep in that battle.

“And we’re also very proud of our home record. We’ve not lost at home all season and we’re keen to maintain that. It will be tough because we’ve got some real tests to come – including against Westcombe Park – but it’s good motivation for us to keep going between now and the end of the season.”

Cotterill is also planning to continue utilising the club’s youth ranks over the coming months.

A number of players that have risen through the ranks at Davey Field have featured in the senior side this term, and Cotterill is eager for that to continue.

He said: “It’s a real pleasure to be able to give some our talented youngsters a chance.

“It’s easy to not put them in and say that they’re not quite ready, but I’m a big believer in giving youngsters an opportunity.

“It sends a message to those players in our colts at the moment. If they work hard then we’ll give them a chance to show what they can do.

“We’ve got a lot of promising youngsters coming through and that’s really pleasing.”

Shelford get back under way after the Christmas break on Saturday (January 7) when third-placed Colchester will be their visitors.

It is a tough game to get restarted with, yet Cotterill would prefer that to coming up against one of the division’s strugglers.

“It’s the perfect game in a lot of ways,” he said. “If we were playing one of the lower sides you can start slow and take a while to bed in, but we know against Colchester you’ve got to be at it from the start.

“It’s going to be a real challenge. They started the season slowly with a number of new signings gelling in, but they’ve really picked up.

“It’s a home game for us, which is a plus, and the boys are going to be right up for it.”