Future is uncertain for Dings Crusaders boss Martinovic

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Friday, March 27, 2009
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This is Bristol

Alan Martinovic will wait until the end of the season before deciding on his Dings Crusaders' future.

The director of rugby is in his third season in Lockleaze, having equalled the club's best finish of sixth place in National Division Three South last season.

But due to his work commitments at Colston's School, Martinovic, who takes his side to Richmond tomorrow (3pm), is considering whether to continue next season.

"It's all up in the air. As far as I am concerned, I am really focused on getting to the end of the season and seeing what happens," he said.

"It's all wrapped up in what I do. There's work commitments as well. I need to look at that and see where Dings fit into it all. "I have made no decision yet. A lot depends on other club things. It's not just me making a decision on things like that."

Dings are pushing for a top-four finish this term but face a tough end to the season. Yet they are one of the few teams in the division not to have a full-time director of rugby – London Scottish, Ealing, Rosslyn Park, Canterbury, Richmond, Bridgwater & Albion, Chinnor and Henley all have full-time coaches.

Martinovic, who trains the amateur side twice a week, has coaching assistance from Bristol flanker Matt Salter, Bath fly-half Ryan Davis, former Bristol fitness coach Dave Rowland and his permanent forwards coach Johnny Gordon, who has had spells in charge at Weston-super-Mare and Hornets.

But the Dings supremo is frustrated by his side's lack of consistent form this season.

They would have been higher up the table had they not lost matches to four of the bottom five sides, including Worthing, Chinnor, Lydney and Havant. The Lockleaze-based oufit have also beaten third-placed Ealing in the National Trophy, won against fifth-placed Canterbury and conceded a last-gasp penalty against unbeaten leaders Scottish to lose 18-16.

When asked if he thinks his side raise their game against the better sides, Martinovic added: "That's probably true. To my mind, that's not good enough."

"If you do that then the best you can hope for is where we are in the league at the moment – and that's mid-table.

"At the moment, it is the same old story for us. We got into a winning position, 25-10 at half-time against Worthing last weekend, but we made one mistake after another.

"We have played Chinnor and Worthing and conceded three tries in each game against them and against London Scottish we only let in one try. It all comes down to the right attitude."

Dings welcome back wing Sylvan Edwards for the trip to former top-flight side Richmond, who have not lost for six matches, after being forced to withdraw last weekend when he injured his ankle in the warm-up. Openside flanker Mitch Quoi starts in place of Ed Hack.

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