Witham Rugby Club is hoping to launch a new colts side for the 1999/2000 season.

Training has already started at the club's Spa Road ground in Witham and coach Nick Redfern is enthusiastic about its prospects.

The team came into being following the successful Under 16's match between Rickstones School, Witham and Thurstable School, Tiptree, held at the club in March, a match won 25-10 by Rickstones.

Now several 16-year-olds from Rickstones School and Witham's other senior school, John Bramston, train every Tuesday between 7pm and 8.30pm.

And Redfern promises a fully-qualified RFU coach will attend the sessions from September.

He is hoping to arrange fixtures locally -- against both school and rugby club sides -- at Under 16 and Under 17 level.

"We have a talented and committed bunch of lads but, to be really successful, we need to form a squad of around 20 players so that we can pick our strongest team," said Redfern.

He is happy for young players just to turn up at a training session or he can visit schools in the Witham, Kelvedon and Tiptree areas to talk to interested youngsters.

He stressed that no previous experience of playing rugby was necessary, 'just bags of enthusiasm'.

Nick Redfern can be contacted in the evenings on 01621 818471.

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