Shelford plans take shape after summer of change

Early signs are promising as Shelford blend old and new for the forthcoming London League 1N season.

After last season’s relegation, Paul Allen has arrived as head coach and a number of familiar faces are back at the Davey Field.

Aki Lea and Scott Jackowski have returned from a season with Peterborough Lions, Jamie Beswick is leading the back row after a serious knee injury, Miles and Warrick Anderson have had a great pre-season and Will Lawson and Tom Lucas are showing promise despite a couple of niggling injuries.

Dwayne Lese is also back in the fold having taken a two-year sabbatical from rugby.

New players include second-row pairing Brad Baker and Jordan Freer, while winger Antony Baston, a Cambridge University student, has added size and speed to the back line.

In the 28-10 friendly win over National League Three side Kettering, Jack Biard, Ollie Jury and James Gould stepped up to the first team to represent the colts’ class of 2018/19.

A link with the British Army is also set to bear fruits for Shelford this season.