Captain's Report 2008

Season Review 2008

Season 2008 saw the Newcastle Centurions start their second season in good spirits after a successful first season which saw them compete for the first time in the new league and produce a string of good performances that eventually lead them to the Northern Grand Final.

Having come runners up to a talented Durham Swans outfit the Centurians were keen to improve on the previous season. This all seemed possible with the core of the squad remaining unchanged from the previous year, including England forward Ben Merrett, and with an influx of new and talented players all keen to play, the season started well.

With large numbers training twice a week the team was able to build on the skills that they had developed during the previous season and this showed come match day. The team was playing well and notched up some impressive victories over the course of the season, most notably two victories over previous champions Durham Swans.

The much improved Middlesborough Hawks provided the sternest challenge for the Centurians and providing Newcastle with their only defeat in the league all season.

And it was the Hawks who met the Centurians in the 2008 Grand Final. The weather was great and the spectators and venue was set for a great match The game was a competitive and charged affair from the start. Both teams gave everything with some great hits going in and fantastic pieces of skill on display. But it was Newcastle who finished on top with some great performances from numerous players, most notably from midfielder Michael Shackleton whose performance earned himself the game MVP and a place on the England team.

The team had become well deserved premiers 2008 with an almost perfect record for the season and with two players making the England team. Newcastle now look to hold onto their title and build on their squad as the league becomes harder next year with the introduction of a 5th team, local rivals Sunderland.

Matt Bradford, Captain/Coach Newcastle Centurions