Top half target for Rye RFC

The New Roaders will kick-off their 2012/13 Sussex One campaign with a home game against Brighton II on Saturday.

Pierce said: “I think we’ve got to be moving in the right direction. I would definitely like to see a top half finish for sure and top three or four would be excellent.

“I think the next league up would be a jump too far at the moment, but I want to get ever so competitive in Sussex One. I want to be in the position where whoever plays us is going to have a lot to think about.”

Rye have come fourth-from-bottom in each of the last two campaigns, finishing ninth of 12 in 2010/11 and seventh of 10 in 2011/12, but Pierce thinks they’re better equipped this time around.

“I think we are stronger than last year,” continued Pierce. “I think we’ve got one or two players coming back that have been away to uni and I think we’ve got more strength in depth.

“The seven players that would play in the backs could be any one of about a dozen players whereas before you could name who you would like to play each week. It’s moved on apace.”

Rye will be pleased that Sussex One is back up to 12 teams for the 2012/13 programme, and there are four newcomers to the division in Haywards Heath II (Rams), Hove II (Yeomen), Lewes II and Midhurst.

See tomorrow’s Rye Observer for the full article.