Ready to run round the park... (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Ready to run round the park...

9:38am Friday 7th September 2007 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
•  

ON THE back of three comfortably won warm-up matches expectations are high as Kendal go into their first game of the North Division One season this weekend.

Director of Rugby Chris Hayton has named a strong starting line-up, which includes experienced Dan Stephens at fly-half with returning captain South African Ian Voortman at inside centre.

Further strengthening of the squad is also in the offing with South African Renier Bester, a 28-year-old centre/wing from Cape Town, signed and on his way to the club, and Welsh first Division second row Gareth Gore already training with the team.

New signing Dan Murray, from Upper Eden, takes the full-back shirt vacated by former captain and star player Simon Mulholland, who has returned to New Zealand after a three-year stint with the Black and Ambers.

Tomorrow Birkenhead Park are the visitors to Mint Bridge and Kendal will be keen to pile up early season points against one of the weaker sides in the league.

Bester, who is due to fly in next week, is rated as a star capture and comes highly recommended by Havies Furie, the assistant coach of Orange Free State Cheetahs Havies says Bester has good hands, an excellent sidestep, and is a good tackler. He played for Boland Cavaliers in the Currie Cup and Geoff Crowster, his Manager of Coaching in Western Province, said: "Renier's strength lies in his versatility. Although he is a specialist inside centre, he can play fly-half, wing and fullback equally well. His communication skills are very good, he can organise attack and defence moves quickly and his tackles are devastating".

For the past five years, Bester has also been playing in Holland where he qualified for the Dutch National side and played in two World Cup qualifying games for them last year.

Gareth Gore is currently recovering from a small shoulder injury, but should soon be available for selection.

The 15-stones, 6'6" tall second row played for Camarthen Quins who were second in the Welsh First Division last season. He gained representative honours last year when he was selected for the Welsh Amateurs National XV.

He has moved to Kendal because his partner, Katrina, has just joined the PE staff at Queen Katherine School. A plumber by trade he has already been given some work by Kendal winger John Ladell.

The big kick-off at Mint Bridge tomorrow is at 3pm.

Team v Birkenhead: B. Coxon, D. Green, R. Harryman; L. Hayton, A. Hudson; G. Holmes, R. Quarry, N. McKain; J. Gough, D. Stephens; C. Park, I. Voortman (capt), N. Michelini, J. Ladell; D. Murray.

Bench: D. Bowles, M. Wilson, G. Coulter.