VALLEY FIRST TEAM 2008-09 SEASON

After an injury ridden 2007 season, the Valley First team has bounced back in true Valley style culminating in a pre-season tour to Malaysia defeating a determined KL Cricket Club outfit. Leading the helm, head coach Brian Higgins has installed a new look aggressive style up front with sound recruitment in Sean Jennings (South Africa) at lock and Taiapa Tomlinson (New Zealand) a robust tight head anchoring an already impressive forward line up.

Back in the fold returns Jack Bennett, John Hamilton, Brent Taylor and Alex Ng with tireless loose forward trio in Olly Robinson, also a new recruit showing great value early in the season alongside Alex Baddeley and Nick Hewson who again continue to step up this season. Ex-Italian international Matt Phillips continues to add his experience and advice to the pack while Renaud Chevanis, James Stokes and Charlie Brough finish out an already formidable pack ensuring Coach Higgie will plenty of headaches with team selection this season.

Returning also from last season sees Hong Kong representative Jonny Elliot in the backs with Lee Jones and Marc Richardson shouldering the centres with ex-Santa Monica super league player Ross Armour. Tim Alexander returns after an unfortunate hand injury early last season shrugging off any claims that it has affected his game with strong performances early in the season so far. He will be challenged hard by Elliot and Kirk Munroe a recent addition to the squad. Stepping up from the lower grades has seen Kevin Mauffrey seize his opportunity for first team honours and with players like Andrew Wongkee and Jason Going yet to come into the fray, Coach Higgie also has an abundant of options in raw talent with Hong Kongs youngest representative ever Ed Rolston and speedsters Yiu Kam Shing (Saloon) and Ryugi Kasagawa. Max Woodward also a talent of the future round out a strong backline for the season.

Proud of its successful history, the Valley First Team has kicked off in glorious fashion in 2008 with pre-season wins in the Union 10’s, Valley 15s and the Knockout Cup. Now with 3 trophies already in the cabinet, the first team turn to the league title as the “next” on the list.