Ferguson feels Bandon moving in right direction

AFTER four league wins in a row, Bandon captain Tom Ferguson feels that the team are starting to click at the right time.

This Sunday, Bandon take on Newcastle West at home (2pm) in a semi-final of the Munster Junior Clubs’ Challenge Cup, and Ferguson feels the West Cork side is starting to find its feet under its new management.

Former Bordeaux Beagles forwards coach Regis Sonnes came in as Bandon’s new first team coach at the start of the season – he also oversees the development of all age grades within the club and works with Bandon Grammar School – and Ferguson, understandably, admits it took time to adjust to the change in regime.

Bandon, who finished second in last year’s Munster Junior League Division 1 campaign, lost two of their first three league games, but they’ve bounced back strongly with recent wins against Clonakilty, Muskerry, Galbally and Skibbereen.

‘Things are going well at the moment, we are unbeaten at home and we’re on a good run,’ Ferguson said.

‘There was a change in coaching staff and a few changes in players as well so it always going to take time for things to bed in.

‘Regis is coming from the professional side of the game so on the technical side of things, it’s been a big change for us and there has been a bit emphasis on that.

‘He has new ideas but at the same time it’s still only tweaks from what we were doing, a lot would be similar to what we have been doing all along.

‘It’s still the same game of rugby but the tweaks are designed to help us get things more accurate and we’re starting to see the fruits of it now.

‘It’s starting to come together, it’s starting to click.’

Bandon have won all their home games this season – three in the league and two in the cup – and that formidable form offers more than just encouragement ahead of the semi-final against an in-form Newcastle West team that is second in the league.

Bandon beat last year’s league champions Clonmel and Richmond to make the last four of the Challenge Cup.

‘It’s another home game this Sunday and we have been very strong at home in recent times,’ Ferguson said.

‘We want to win every game, whether it’s a cup semi-final or a league game. We expect to win games, that’s our mindset, we’re confident in our ability – but we know Newcastle West are in good form this season.

‘We played Newcastle West at home last season and beat them but they’re in flying form this year, they’re second in the league and only lost once all year so we know how tough it’s going to be.

‘We’re going well but we don’t expect anything easy either. They were tough last year but they have improved again this season.

‘It would be great to get to a final and to start winning trophies,’ Ferguson said.

‘We had a great season last year after coming up to Division 1 and we finished in second place – but it would be a great boost to everyone involved if we could take that next step and win some silverware.’