Gordano shed new light on their exciting expansion progamme

THE future is bright for Gordano after the Somerset Premier club this week switched on new £70,000 floodlights.

The project has taken three years to come to fruition with all sections of the Portbury-based outfit involved in fund-raising, from the thriving minis and juniors to the seniors and women's side.

Director of rugby Keith Leaker said: "The lights will be a great advertisement for the club. We're all very pleased, but it's just another little notch in our development. It's now time to put money into the clubhouse and improve facilities there."

Gordano are growing so quickly that the club are also keen to find more space, for another pitch and to improve car parking facilities which creak on a Sunday morning when around 300 youngsters report for action thanks to strong links with local primary and secondary schools.

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Products of the junior section are stepping so seamlessly into senior rugby that Gordano will tomorrow field four men's teams for the first time this season. And they're also developing their own coaches at every level rather than hire in costly outsiders.

Leaker added: "We're a community club and we prefer to keep everything in house. It seems to be working."

Gordano raised half the cash needed for the lights, while the RFU Foundation provided a grant of £5,000. Money collected in memory of Jim Gilmore, a popular club stalwart who died last year, plus donations from sponsors and several anonymous individuals helped the club reach their target.

The club hope the new lights will also be utilised by Somerset at various age levels, for both matches and training sessions.

Gordano's first team are away tomorrow, to Somerset Premier leaders Chew Valley, while the seconds and thirds have home league games.

In National Two South, Dings Crusaders face a difficult trip to title-chasing Worthing.

With Marcus Brooker and Mitch Burton not available, Mark Woodrow moves to stand-off, Rob Dempsey reverts to full-back while the experienced Sam Cox forms a new midfield partnership with Jack Nowell.

Up front, James Cooke comes in at prop for Matt Hudd and in the back row Mike Uren links up with brother Steve who replaces James Luck at No 8.

Sylvan Edwards returns at centre for National Three South West high-flyers Weston-super-Mare, who are home to Chippenham (3pm). James Mackay reverts to fly-half in place of Chris Young, while in the pack Dave Burge replaces Dave Bird at hooker and Kevin Hobbs steps up for the injured Mike Morris at blindside flanker.

Avonmouth, preparing for a must-win home clash with fellow strugglers Maidenhead (3pm), welcome back flanker Greg Long and lock Ryan Templar.

Fly-half Joe Wearne is not available, and that means Matt Belbin will undergo a late fitness test on an ankle problem with Charlie Reynolds on standby to switch from the wing if he is not cleared to start.

Old Reds, fresh from a superb victory at South West One West table-toppers North Petherton, entertain struggling Bridgwater & Albion (3pm).

The sidelines will be swollen by more than 100 members of Old Reds' well-supported Former Players Society meeting for their annual lunch and reunion at 12.45pm.

Match of the day in Western Counties North sees leaders Barton Hill entertain third-placed Hornets who are two points behind with a game in hand. Barts are set to welcome back prop Ray Chase, who missed last weekend's win at Yatton because he was attending a Star Trek convention.