Perpignan, pret pour la SL!!
Posté : 04 avr. 2005, 17:49
Perpignan are well on course for Super League success next season. That was the message from UTC coach Steve Deakin after his club’s Powergen Challenge Cup victory over a gallant Hull KR in St Esteve yesterday.
With Rovers having top-flight ambitions of their own, Sunday’s game was seen as a test of how far the Catalan club has come ahead of its elevation next year.
After an impressive first-half, which they led 24-6, UTC were given a much tougher fight in the second before finally overcoming a brave Rovers rearguard effort to underline both sides’ credentials as Super League material.
‘Today has been a high standard international event,’ said Deakin, as his side reflected on a trip to Wigan in the next round.
‘This club is moving in the right direction on and off the field. There was a good crowd today with a lot of atmosphere. We are still not exactly where we want to be, but if there is a time to be ready for us, it is October.
‘That’s when we come back into training, and when we have to make sure everything is nailed on. One very positive thing was that so many of our French players had excellent games today.’
While unwilling to name names, Deakin revealed that his recruitment plans for Super League XI are on-going, with several players in ‘England, France, Australia and New Zealand’ currently engaged in contract talks
With Rovers having top-flight ambitions of their own, Sunday’s game was seen as a test of how far the Catalan club has come ahead of its elevation next year.
After an impressive first-half, which they led 24-6, UTC were given a much tougher fight in the second before finally overcoming a brave Rovers rearguard effort to underline both sides’ credentials as Super League material.
‘Today has been a high standard international event,’ said Deakin, as his side reflected on a trip to Wigan in the next round.
‘This club is moving in the right direction on and off the field. There was a good crowd today with a lot of atmosphere. We are still not exactly where we want to be, but if there is a time to be ready for us, it is October.
‘That’s when we come back into training, and when we have to make sure everything is nailed on. One very positive thing was that so many of our French players had excellent games today.’
While unwilling to name names, Deakin revealed that his recruitment plans for Super League XI are on-going, with several players in ‘England, France, Australia and New Zealand’ currently engaged in contract talks