South African Adventure

Lions Named For South African Adventure

Great Britain Community Lions head coach Jimmy Taylor has named a provisional 22-man squad for the forthcoming tour of South Africa.

The Lions are scheduled to depart for South Africa in late July with two tour games and a Test match against the South African Rhinos expected to be played over the two week trip.

Alongside Manager Jimmy Aspinall, Taylor has put a squad together after looking at players from all over the UK.

“The aspiration for the tour was realised over 12 months ago,” said Aspinall.

“Both myself and Jimmy have travelled up and down the country and taken in games from many different competitions. This has included trips to Portsmouth, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire and South Wales.”

“I think the France game in November last year was the starting point, although the squad we see today has emerged from some hit ups we had against Dewsbury Rams and Leigh Centurions which helped our preparation for our test match win over France in March.”

“We have also named eight reserves and the whole squad will have three training sessions and a trial game against the Army before we leave. The players are under no illusion about the task ahead and all of them have been told that they need to continue to train hard and remain fit.”

The side will be captained by Skirlaugh’s Sean Wildbore, whilst his vice-captain will be Gavin Corfield (pictured) of Wigan St Judes.

“Both players are very well respected by their peers,” added Aspinall.

“They have both been involved within the Community Lions for many years and have the great ability to lead.”

Whilst away in their free time the Lions hope to help the development of the game in South Africa by running coaching sessions in schools and colleges.

Great Britain Community Lions
South Africa Tour Squad - July/August 2010

Anthony Atherton (Wigan St Patricks)
Steven Atkinson (Skirlaugh)
Tony Baker (Ince Rose Bridge)
James Bardgett (RAF)
Lee Brown (East Hull)
Joe Budd (York Acorn)
Gavin Corfield (Wigan St Judes)
David Dunwell (Normanton Knights)
Daniel Hardy (Oulton Raiders)
Mark Holmes (Oulton Raiders)
Paul Hunt (Halton Simms Cross)
Andrew Lake (St Albans Centurions)
Wayne Leyland (Ince Rose Bridge)
Gary Middlehurst (Leigh East)
Paul Pendlebury (Wigan St Judes)
Jordan Precious (Skirlaugh)
Carl Redford (Leigh East)
Ryan Smith (Leigh Miners Rangers)
Kevin Thompson (Wath Brow Hornets)
Christopher Walker (Oulton Raiders)
Sean Wildbore (Skirlaugh)
Scott Winstanley (Ince Rose Bridge)

Non Travelling Reserves:
Mathew Bower (Skirlaugh)
Matt Cooper (Coventry Bears)
Anthony Gallear (Wigan St Patricks)
Thomas Hill (York Acorn)
Steve McDermott (Halton Simms Cross)
Ryan Robb (Wath Brow Hornets)
Mark Troughton (Wath Brow Hornets)
Danny Ulyatt (Hull Dockers)