Peter Southern: Tynedale can fight their way back to National One

By Chris Collyer

Tynedale director of rugby Peter Southern thinks his club have what it takes to fight their way back into National One and thanks his team and staff for their ‘never say die’ attitude.

Southern’s side were unable to top the National Two North table this season after Sheffield became uncatchable.

However, Southern is extremely proud and says his determined team want to grab all the last remaining points available and finish the season on a high.

He told The Rugby Paper: “Sheffield deservedly have taken the top spot and we want to maintain our position at second on the table.”

Go again

He continued: “We want to get the remaining points; however, we are going to lock horns with some good sides.

“We’re keen to get into the play-offs and inevitably we want to get back into National One.

“If we don’t get promoted, then we go again, and if we make it back into National One, then we’ll give it our best shot in there.

“Season by season, we’re working hard to develop our squad. Whether we’re promoted or not, we won’t change what we’re doing.

“We’ll keep the same ethos, and with that, we’ll return to National One. We’ve got a lot of coaches and players who put so much hard work in that we want to achieve something.

“We’ve improved season upon season at Tynedale, not just on the field but the commercial side as well, so things like pre-match meals, planning how to train in adverse weather conditions, transport to games and everything.

“This year, we brought in one of our Colts to play off the bench, and it gave him vital experience to see what first-team rugby is all about.

“We’ll do it again next year to show the young lads that there is a pathway and if they put the hard work in there are opportunities there.”

Fully focused: Tynedale’s never-say-die attitude

Great community

Southern, who played at Tynedale his whole life before stepping into the coaching box, deeply loves his home club and can’t imagine any other life.

He added: “I’ve played for every single side of the club from juniors up and ran out onto the pitch over 300 times whilst playing at Tynedale.

“It’s a great community-based club full of volunteers; nobody is paid at the club, including myself.

“It’s all completely voluntary, which people find hard to believe. We have a one club ethos and make sure we look after the players.

“Tynedale is a great place, there’s a fantastic vibe and a lot of good people are doing good things on and off the pitch.

“The big thing for us is if we get everything right off the pitch, then the score will look after itself on the pitch.”