From the Saracen Press

Club will Benefit from Injury Streak

Posted on 2001-06-25 by Agustin Louro

The Saracens have sustained a higher-than-usual rate of injuries in the early goings of the 2001 season, but this may be a blessing in disguise.

Seemingly inexplicably, there has been an overabundance of injuries this year; compounded by absence of key players who are overseas. The first division squad, in particular, has suffered a lack of continuity in the roster since the start of the year. However, replacement players have been more than capable at higher levels of rugby, evidenced by the 4-4-1 record: the best start in recent memory. The rest of the club has felt the sting of the injury bug, though, as the second division team is off to a terrible start with only one win in their first six matches. The thirds have not been as affected (as not very many of their players have made the jump to higher divisions), but are certainly not running on all cylinders.

Thanks to the inception of the Spring Cup, however, the Saracens (like all clubs) will have a fresh start in the Alberta Cup competition. The return of vacationing players, as well as those injured at the start of the year, will lift the quality of play in the club. It will also allow those who were brought up a division or two to return to the lower level or fight to keep their current spot. It is in both cases that the club will benefit.

Players who will be dropped down will have gained invaluable experience which will no doubt aid their teammates. They will have succeeded at a higher level and will become leaders of the squad, something gravely needed in all divisions but currently lacking in the lower divisions. Those who fight to keep their positions in first division will lift the play in it by forcing the returning players to better their rugby.

All clubs experience ups and downs during the course of a season, and the successful ones are able to make the ups more beneficial than the downs are detrimental. All indications are that the Saracens will accomplish this to the outmost.