Burnley rugby coach hopes for flying start to the season (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Burnley rugby coach hopes for flying start to the season

5:18pm Tuesday 28th August 2012 in Sport

BURNLEY coach Simon Finnan has challenged his players to start the new campaign as they ended last season.

The Holden Road club finished as the form team in North Lancs One, winning five of their last six games.

Burnley went on to finish in eighth place when they had seemed certain for relegation prior to their remarkable run-in.

Now Burnley-born Finnan, starting his first full season in charge after taking over from Getty Schinkel midway through last term, is looking for a flying start.

He said: “Out start killed us last year and we were playing catch-up from a very early stage.

“It took us ages to get that first win but we showed what we are capable of.

“So it is important for us to make a good start and if we don’t win our first game then we have to make sure we get some points on the board after our first few games.”

Burnley, who lost to a strong Trafford side 52-12 in the Lancashire Cup at the weekend, kick off with a home game against Tarleton on Saturday.

They have managed to retain most of the squad – although scrum half Dom Leck will miss games due to work commitments – but flanker Ed Taylor has returned after studying away.

• Burnley Rugby Club are trying to buck the trend for a second year running as they enter teams in the U19s and U17s Raging Bull Colts League.

With these age groups the main drop off from sports within the country, the club is always looking for new players of all abilities.

Training takes place on Tuesday and Thursday nights (6.45pm) behind the Oaks Hotel, Holden Road, off Colne Road.