National One: Gabittass calls on his side to avoid complacency

Blackheath fly-half Freddie Gabbitass has warned his side against complacency when they take on Wharfedale this weekend as they continue to push for a promotion spot in National One.

‘Heath have made a very good start to the campaign so far with five victories to their name including wins against fellow promotion candidates Rosslyn Park and Ampthill.

The London side now sit third in the table just one point behind Ampthill and Hartpury College and they are eager to continue their winning ways on Saturday.

They take on a Wharfedale side who currently lie in 12^th place after just two wins this season coming against Blaydon and Darlington Mowden Park.

But Gabbitass is confident his side can continue to be focused and believes the squad are in an excellent position right now.

“The boys have been going well in the last few games,” said Gabbitass.

“We had a tough trip away at Blaydon to begin the season and that was a bit of a shock to the system, but since then we have been building quite nicely and we just seem to be in quite a good place at the minute.

“We can’t afford to be complacent this weekend. We’ve done well up to now. But you read the results each week and someone from the bottom is beating someone at the top and teams that you think are form teams lose surprisingly so there are no freebies in this league.

“Last week was a massive win against Ampthill just because they haven’t lost at home for a while.  It wasn’t necessarily a start studded performance from us but we got the job done.

“Also because we had beaten Rosslyn Park the week before we knew that this could be bogey game for us, but the boys turned up and got the result.”

The former Tiverton player joined Blackheath this year after spending two years in Bath Rugby’s academy and a year at Exeter Chiefs.  He has also represented Millfield School.

The son of former Exeter fly-half, Charlie, has also represented England at U-18 level where he captained the side against Ireland in 2011 and he says all this experience is helping him enjoy life at his new club.

He added: “There is a good group of boys at Blackheath. Joining a new club is also a bit nerve-racking, but everyone at the club has been really welcome. It’s a really good traditional club to play for.

"The experience I have had from playing in the academy at Bath for two years and last year at Exeter has been massive in terms of my development and I am continuing to enjoy rugby at a high standard.

“Look, it’s at the back of every players mind to aim high and I am enjoying life with Blackheath. Right now, it’s all about putting the performances in and concentrating on Blackheath.  

USA 7s coach Mike Friday is part of the coaching set-up at Blackheath after playing for the side earlier in his career.

Friday has coached England 7s in the past, but has recently guided the USA to their first ever World Series event in London and also helped them qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Gabbitass believes the experience Friday offers will be a factor in the side doing well this season.

“Mike has been brilliant, he said. He’s often away focusing on the USA 7s but when he is back he’s not short of a few words!

“He is a guy who we massively respect because of what he achieved at the club and it’s great to have him around because of his experience. I’ve learnt a lot from him at my short time at Blackheath so he is great person to have around.

“He is always saying every week we have to keep building and it’s just another game. We focus on the week in hand not looking ahead to further weeks and that obviously applies for this weekend.”

Along with Blackheath v Wharfedale this Saturday, there is still all full programme of National One fixtures so here is a preview of the rest of the action.

National One  - Round 7

Henley Hawks v Hartpury College

League leaders Hartpury College will be hoping to stay top of National One this weekend as they also go in search of their sixth victory of the season on Saturday when they travel to Henley Hawks.

The Hawks are starting to find their feet in this division after being promoted as champions from National Two South. They have put in encouraging performances of late including a draw away at Ampthill and District.

Rosslyn Park v Ampthill and District

Two weeks ago, Rosslyn Park were top of the table, but two straight defeats sees them lying in seventh place and the pre-season favourites for title will want to turn that around this weekend when they host Ampthill.

After winning the National Two play-off last season, Ampthill will provide a stern test for Park this weekend after only suffering their first defeat of the season last weekend against Freddie’s Blackheath side.

The A’s will be looking to avoid their second consecutive loss and as much of a tough game this will be for Park, it won’t be straight forward for Ampthill. Expect a close contest.

Esher v Hull Ionians

Esher are now into the top four after a commanding display against Plymouth Albion  last weekend and now have another dangerous assignment this Saturday at home to Hull Ionians.

Like Henley and Ampthill, The I’s are enjoying life back in National One thus far having won three of their matches and picking up five bonus points. They will be looking to respond after a home defeat to Coventry last weekend, but Esher away, will difficult for them.

Coventry v Fylde

Coventry will be pleased to have their promotion challenge back on track. Two successive defeats have being put to the back on their minds after two straight wins including a very good performance on Humberside last week.

Another side who are starting to go in the right direction are Fylde who will be hoping to build on that superb victory over Rosslyn Park. Last week was the first time we have seen Fylde put in a complete performance, so they will be looking to carry that into the rest of the season.

Cinderford v Richmond

After avoiding the drop last season, Cinderford are already in a spot of bother early in this campaign with only one win to their name so far.

Most teams who know they might be in for a tough year will hope that their home performances can spur them on, but that is not the case so far for Cinderford.

They host a confident Richmond side this weekend who beat Blaydon despite a slow start to the game last week. They are into the top six and will be hoping they can stay in the mix after this weekend’s fixtures.

Blaydon v Plymouth Albion

It is still a surprise to Blaydon at the bottom of the league after six rounds and they take on Plymouth Albion up in the North-East this weekend.

Blaydon have just one win to their name so far, but there was a vast improvement against Richmond and they will be hoping they can re-find that form on Saturday.

They maybe quietly confident heading into this game with Albion, who themselves haven’t found life in National One that rosy so far which maybe down to the new squad they have.

Already five points from safety the phrase ‘must win’ may well be being muttered in the Blaydon camp this week.

Darlington Mowden Park v Loughborough Students

Darlington Mowden Park will feel that this game against Loughborough Students will be the perfect time for them to pick up a second win of the season. Loughborough are also down at the wrong end of the table, but two wins in their last three surely is an advantage for them heading this fixture.

DMP have found if difficult so far this season, but  have played five of their six games away from the North-East so Loughborough will have to be aware of that.