While all eyes are on the Rugby World Cup, a club in mid Norfolk is thriving thanks to its new relationship with an army regiment.
Dereham Rugby Club started the season with a thumping 73-3 East Counties Division Two North victory over Norwich Lions second team on Saturday.
It was the club's first competitive match under new head coach Rob Jones, warrant officer with the Queen's Dragoon Guards (QDGs), also known as the Welsh Cavalry, who are settling into their new home at the Robertson Barracks in Swanton Morley, near Dereham.
The QDGs have replaced the Light Dragoons who left in April and moved to Catterick, Yorkshire, after a 15-year stay in Norfolk.
With the Welsh known for their love of rugby, Dereham has also gained six new players from the QDGs.
Two of them, lance corporal Miles Davis, a tighthead prop who is the brother of Welsh international Bradley Davis and Isisar Bobo, a pacey Fijian winger, played in Saturday's victory.
Mr Jones, who has coached the British Army (Germany) team is relishing his new role with Dereham and believes there are many similar attributes needed for success in rugby and a career in the army.
He said: 'I want to create a real team spirit and a camaraderie at the club, where everyone is working hard for each other.
'If that happens they will do well.
'I have coached at a high level and had offers to coach bigger clubs but I wanted to go back to grassroots rugby and to redevelop the way I coach.
'I chose Dereham because I saw a team that could do with a bit of help.
'There are a great bunch of lads here who are committed to the club.
'It's also a chance for us, as a regiment, to get involved in helping the local community, through sport, and to form new relationships.
'I want to establish a second team and also a mini section to give the club a future. This is a really exciting project to be involved in.'
Dereham captain Dan Ponder, 27, from Toftwood, who has been with the club for 10 years, said: 'It's great for us to have them involved.
'We've had a strong team for the last two or three years but we now have real competition for places.
'Rob has a real presence and we all have a lot of respect for him, because of what he has done.
'The army boys coming in gets everyone focused and its great to also involve them in the social side of things.
'With the World Cup on as well there is a really good vibe at the club.
'We're looking forward to a great season and I think we have a chance of winning the league this year.'
Are you working with the QDGs is some way? Email adam.lazzari@archant.co.uk
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