United Banks and 2nds take a wider view of the future

Friday 18th April 2008, 12:00AM BST.

BOTH United Banks RFC and Jersey RFC’s 2nd XV could be playing regular Hampshire League rugby or against comparable French sides next year.

Both teams, independently, have decided that they owe it to their players to give them weightier opposition than the other five teams in the J Promail JRA Channel Islands League.

For Banks, who regularly finish in the first three of the local league and who narrowly lost for the second time in two years in the semi-final of the Hampshire Gales Plate, it is a natural progression.

‘We know that Hampshire are keen for us to join, and they’ve told us that we would start next season in Hampshire III,’ said Banks’ captain, Peter Haworth. ‘As we have regularly beaten Division II sides in the past, that could make it a comfortable season for us, but we’re not getting over-excited yet, because of the cost.

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