Four members of the Front Row Union will be anchoring Bournville’s scrum again next season having all committed to the club.
Props Scott Rudge, Jake Thompson, Clarkson McLeod and Kuba Kijak are the latest players to re-sign ahead of the club’s return to National Two West having helped to win the Regional One Midlands title.
Rudge, Thompson and McLeod had to be both durable and versatile in a campaign in which regulations at level five permitted just three minutes. Their reliability and intelligent deployment by the coaching team made them a powerful combination throughout the season.
Kijak, a Poland Under-20s international, began the season on loan at Old Halesonians but he underlined his value to Bourns when he was recalled for the three-times postponed match at Drybrook and February and played the full 80 minutes in an important away win. He then went on to feature regularly for Bournville Blues in the final two months of the season.
“Scott has been very consistent and I’m delighted that he has re-signed,” said Head Coach Alex Grove.
“He just goes about his business quietly. I’m not sure he’s aware of how good an asset he is to this cub. He’s been outstanding whether he’s started or had an impact off the bench.
“We’ve seen performances from Jake this season where he has almost single-handedly unravelled the opposition pack.
“It won’t be quite so straightforward next season in a higher league. The challenge for Jake is to back up those performances week-on-week.
“But the quality is there, there is no doubt about that. If we can get him performing as he has done this season every week at a higher level then we are going to have a solid set piece.
“Clarkson offers a lot around the field. His fitness is something, his ball carrying ability is his point of difference as his ability across the front row.
“And we are going to challenge Kuba to break into the first team and string some games together. With the allowance for extra replacements in the National Leagues there will be opportunities to come in and challenge for a place.
“In a longer season with more matches it will also be an opportunity for Kuba to come in and put a marker down.”
