As starts to a season go, irrespective of sport, consecutive derbies, for both your first, and second team, is some going, but that’s how Mellish RFC will begin their, respective campaigns, come early-September.

First up is that of Paviors, with the firsts, in the Regional 2 Midlands, making the short trip on 2 September, and the seconds, who will ply their trade in the Counties 3 Midlands East (Central) hosting the same, then, a week later, on 9 September, the firsts hosting West Bridgford, and the seconds are on the road in what is an exciting, opening, for the sides involved.

It makes for what will be an exciting start to the campaign, Daniel Edson and his team looking to continue the success of recent seasons.

“Going up again, last season (runners-up to Hinckley IIs), and taking successive promotions, was good for us as the ambition was just to do as well as could,” began Mellish Head Coach, Daniel Edson.

“The lads though, they’ve put in a lot of hard work and we enjoyed playing against different teams (last season), something which we not only embraced, but will look to do again.

“It’ll also be nice to play against some old rivals again, whilst also facing some new teams.

“There will be some tweaks to how we deliver things on the field, how we play, but really we just need to fine tune, and go again – identify areas for improvement and development in order to sustain ourselves at a new level.”

Although still a few months off of the start of the new campaign, in early September, there’s always plenty to look forward to; the release of the fixtures having supports at Mellish, and other clubs alike, looking for those derby games, the big days out.

For Mellish, the upcoming campaign will see them facing that of Newark, and the relegated pair of Paviors, and West Bridgford, and for Edson, there’s much to look forward to.

“We’re excited to start the new season, and the lads are really looking forward to the challenge ahead,” continued Edson.

“We also have our seconds in the pyramid so it’s a great opportunity for them to test themselves against the best there is at their level also.

“The fact that we’ll be playing against Notts clubs, as well as facing the likes of Long Eaton, Matlock, and clubs from the West Midlands, then we really couldn’t have asked for a better, more exciting start to the campaign.

“We also can’t wait to pit ourselves against everybody else, these lads are really up for it and are really looking forward to what’s ahead.”

But what is the aim for the season ahead, as the club, like others continue building for the 2023/23 campaign.

“This coming season, we’re looking to go out there and to be able to sustain ourselves at this level, a level which other clubs are well-acquainted with, and experienced at, so we need to look at getting our feet under the table” explained the Mellish HC.

“If we can maintain this level for a season or two say, then we can look at pushing forwards again.

“It’s the same as with our seconds, maintain as a mid-table side, then go from there because we do, overall, need to be realistic whilst fully embracing what it is we’re doing.

“As for any changes at the club, there’s not been much really; we do have some ex-players who are coming onto the coaching side, and we’ve plenty of experienced players here, so just looking at a few new ones, something we’re always on the lookout for, who can join the club, and hit the ground running.”

Opening month fixtures for Mellish Firsts is – Paviors (A, 2 September), West Bridgford (H, 9 September), Matlock (A, 16 September), Lichfield (A, 23 September), Tamworth (A, 30 September)

Opening month fixtures for Mellish Seconds is – Paviors IIs (H, 2 September), West Bridgford IIs (A, 9 September), Keyworth (H, 16 September), North Hykeham (A, 23 September), Sleaford (H, 30 September)

Keep up-to-date with all the goings-on at Mellish RFC via their socials on Facebook and Twitter and via their website here.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @Mellish_RFC Coach Dan Edson with Amy Waghorn, Connor Power & Lauren Lacey-Smith.