Rugby Union: Ben Kay set for defence as Waterloo take break

Sep 5 2007 by Ian Hargraves and Ron Roby, Liverpool Daily Post

FORMER Waterloo lock Ben Kay, who won a World Cup medal in Sydney four years ago, is included in Brian Ashton’s England side to face the USA in Lens this weekend.

Ben learned much of his rugby in his younger days at Merchant Taylor’s School in Crosby under the guidance of former international and British Lions star Mike Slemen

His senior rugby developed at Blundellsands before signing for Leicester Tigers, where he played alongside Martin Johnson.With Johnson retiring from the game he has had to develop new partnerships and this coming Saturday he is alongside Simon Shaw in the second row.

Today’s Waterloo, meanwhile, have a spare Saturday to help boost their recovery after a disappointing defeat at Otley.

Otley always seem to be a step in front of them, but Waterloo must have thought they had cracked their long-running problem when they equalised after falling well behind.

But Otley hit back again to win, which further emphasised Waterloo’s shortage of high level cover to provide a late reinforcement.

They have been lineout-vulnerable for some time now, and coach Chris O’Callaghan will give that area priority before their first home match, against old rivals Manchester, arrives on Saturday week.

Elsewhere, they have certainly reinforced their defence, but fly-half-cum-full-back Neil Hunter appears to have fallen out of favour.

There is a newly formed section at down Waterloo Rugby Club for this coming season 2007-8.

Meanwhile Waterloo’s new youth section has been launched which encompasses the former mini juniors, the girls and the colts.

Altogether there are now 14 groups with chairman John Wainwright, saying: “This is an exciting prospect for Waterloo and it has given the whole club a renewed sense of energy.”

The section meets on Sundays with the mini-juniors training or playing in the mornings and the colts and girls in the early afternoons.

Sunday is the first meeting of the season when registration and training takes place and the club is seeking more youngsters to get involved.

If you would like some more information please contact John on 0151 931 1802 or Kay Carter our membership secretary on 0151 924 6008.