Rugby union: Promoted Stoke finally rising to their heavyweight challenge
SIMON Price has credited a summer of tyre flipping and log pressing for the red-hot try-scoring form which has helped get Stoke back on track.
The 34-year-old centre scored four times in Stoke's 86-0 weekend rout of Northwich, so ending spectacularly a run of three successive defeats for the promoted team.
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FEEL THE POWER: A heavyweight summer training regime is paying off for Stoke centre Simon Price.
This weekend they head to Old Halesonians with Price aware the opposition include a couple of old pros in Carl Robinson and Tom Jordan.
But he says rolling over 200kg weights at Caveman Training in Fenton should help Stoke deal with one of the powerhouses of Midlands One West (North).
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"I'm getting on a bit now, but I feel fit and my form is okay," said Price, who is also Stoke's assistant coach.
"I had a decent pre-season when I did a lot of training on my own, and we are all benefiting from using Caveman Training for our power and strength.
"We are tyre flipping and log pressing as well as doing dips and squats. It is more interesting than regular weights and it should all pay off.
"This level of rugby has changed even since I last played there three years ago. People are much fitter now and taking weekend sport much more seriously. We have to stay one step ahead."
Halesonians started their campaign with three wins, including a 65-0 pasting of Northwich, but have since drawn against Worcester and lost to Stratford.
Yet their defence is still by far the tightest in the division, conceding just 40 points so far.
Price and Stoke skipper Chris Rowley played alongside Robinson and Jordan during their time at Stourbridge five years ago.
And the former Longton man expects a tough challenge as his side look to nail back-to-back wins for the first time this season. He said: "It will be a difficult game away from home. They are a physical side and have a couple of ex-pros in Carl at centre and Tom at flanker.
"But I still think if we can play our top game for 80 minutes we can get past anyone in this division.
"There were times last season when we could switch off for 20 minutes and still win comfortably, but we will not get away with that most weeks this year.
"We still only performed for 60 minutes against Northwich, but we will need to focus from the first whistle to last if we are going to get anything this weekend.
"That said, if we do manage to get another victory I think we can get on a bit of a roll and our season can really get going."
In South Lancs/Cheshire One, it does not get any easier for CREWE AND NANTWICH as they try to get back to winning ways.
Last weekend, they slipped to their third defeat of the season when they went down 28-23 in their first encounter with New Brighton since 1980.
This Saturday they take on early leaders Broughton Park at home, but chairman Jon Cockburn is refusing to panic.
He said: "Obviously it is disappointing to lose, but again we can take positives from the competitiveness we showed.
"All three games we have lost to date have earned us a bonus point and the results could have gone the other way.
"There's still a long way to go in this league, but our biggest test to date will come this weekend against Broughton Park."
Comments
by Allseeineye
Monday, October 08 2012, 3:27PM
“Scottishtom i think you need to check your sources, i know for a fact that it was a 'gorgeous layered lemon cream cake' and well worthy of admiration. That aside, i think you're right - Currie needs to sort himself out. He always spices up the team and they're usually too hot to handle whenever he is on the pitch.
Rusty - you have clearly never been near Hartwell Lane - Powerhouse was "only 6 ft tall" ?!!!? That he packs so much punch within his compact 4' 6" frame is yet more testament to his remarkable powers.
Totally agree about the full back though - he should get back to music related talent shows and the sooner the better.”
by Rusty_kuntz
Monday, October 08 2012, 1:54PM
“I watched this bunch of misfits play on Saturday for the first time ever. Verdict ? Hilarious !!! The midget at 9 is very fast. He would make a fortune at the circus. I found the 10 an enjoyable character. His schizophrenia complemented nicely by his Tourette's. For 80 , I stand corrected, 70 minutes he just glared and swore at everyone who crossed his path. Powerhouse price was a let down. I was expecting a monster. That guy was only 6ft tall. The most impressive thing was how this rabble managed to play so well from the props to that pretty girl that plays 15 #girlpower !! I look forward to future viewings.”
by scottishtom
Monday, October 08 2012, 1:13PM
“I concur with allseeineye. I would also like to question the dedication of stalwart prop Steve Currie. I here unconfirmed reports that he didn't play on Saturday as he was baking cakes? This is just not good enough. I'll say one thing for Christmas, at least he turned up while Currie was admiring a Victoria sponge.”
by scottishtom
Monday, October 08 2012, 1:04PM
“After the powerhouses performance on saturday I retract my previous derogatory comments about him. The man is a machine, I don't know he manages to continue to perform at this level at the age of 45, incredible.
As for the Christmas, I wish he only did come once a year. His performances continue to bring the team down and if he doesn't get dropped soon it could be a long season for the Hartwell Lance club. His commitment to the cause is appalling. I have heard reports that he was drinking all day in Liverpool yesterday, not good enough. While he's drinking reefs on trains the powerhouse is probably squating, dipping and throwing 200kg weights around. Thats the differance between price and Christmas. Ones a success the other is a failure. Simple.”
by Allseeineye
Monday, October 08 2012, 11:07AM
“The Proof of the pie is in the eating. Price's dedication and commitment reaped its rewards again with another superb try. Xmas was once again a liability!!
Could Xmas match Powerhouse Price's commitment and deication to training and still hold down a full time job? I remain to be convinced.
Stoke should design a game plan around giving 'PP' more of the ball. He continues to turn back the clock with some devastating bursts. The likes of Rowley, Xmas, Hughes et al would do well to stop thinking of themselves and GIVE PRICE THE BALL.”
by scottishtom
Friday, October 05 2012, 3:46PM
“I'm with big mick. Christmas out. #bringbackbirkett”
by ray_tupper
Friday, October 05 2012, 3:23PM
“BigMickTone- Its a a busy time ahead coming up for Christmas. Please support him and get behind the cause. We all need Christmas!!! #ChristmasIN”
by BigMickTone
Friday, October 05 2012, 12:15PM
“I think we need to forget about the 'Powerhouse' for now and concentrate on getting rid of the cancer that is threatening our great clubs existence. While Sam Xmas is still here we are going one way and that's backwards and fast. Come on guys lets all stop bickering and fight to get this clown out of the club. #xmasOUT”
by dim_tim
Friday, October 05 2012, 11:22AM
“i am asboltuely oturaged at scottishtoms outbrust. Simon Pirce has bean an upstadning membre and dedlifter of the community fro many yers. It is becoz of his dedicayshon and hard werk, he has semented his place in the team and remember there's no eye in team but there is meat and pircey's got plenty of it. if you cud lift 1 qorta of wot he cud, then may b u cud get in the teem rarther than be-ing a human sheeld..... iHEARTpircey#”
by Farmer_Billy9
Friday, October 05 2012, 10:54AM
“I agree with tupper. Who are you to put him down scottishtom? He is increasing the reputation of the local sport and is obviously an avid trainer. At his age, to still be training at that level shows great motivation and deadication and I for one think that you should look in the mirror before you put down another member of your team. #tupperspeakssense”