Quinssa AGM Report 2: Evs on ND1

By Prof
June 15 2006

The second in a series of reports from the Quinssa AGM (8th June 2006): Mark Evans talks about what it was like to play in National Division 1.

Q: Which was your most enjoyable away game last season?

A: I enjoyed the Plymouth away game – it was a new ground, it was packed, there was the hospital toy collection, they are a club trying to build something, it was a tight game – apart from the speeding ticket I got that was probably the best.

Pertemps Bees was terrific especially with the travelling Quins support there although it was a bit like returning to park rugby.

 

Q: Having seen all of the ND1 clubs which ones do you think will be able to come up to the Premiership?

A: None of them, I can’t see how any of them can meet the entry criteria except Leeds. Although I don’t know what the new grounds are like at Cornish Pirates, Nottingham or Exeter so they may be in with a chance. Coventry and Plymouth could get there in the fullness of time. Bedford have a nice ground with a 6,000 capacity but they have been in the Premiership before and they won’t want to overstretch themselves and end up like West Hartlepool.

In terms of the ground we went to they are a million miles from being Premiership quality, places like Bees, Newbury and Sedgley Park are lovely grounds but they are a million miles away.

I think Leeds could win the league, even though they have lost a lot of players they still have the resources. Last season in ND1 we were probably the only team to spend £1,000,000 on players, Leeds should still have the backing so they shouldn’t have much trouble gaining promotion, the only danger is how they will cope if they do come straight back up.