Preparations for the forthcoming Durham and Northumberland rugby season has begun for the ambitious Prudhoe & Stocksfield RFC.

The Tynedale club, who are based at Stocksfield Sports Club, finished in eighth position last season despite competing with the best in the league on a number of occasions.

However, they mean business this year having already recruited five new players and they have now teamed up with Ferguson Fitness which has been delivering socially distanced sessions each week.

The sessions, which have been taking place on Saturdays at 2pm, have proved very popular with the squad despite the gruelling fitness circuits provided.

All the sessions and activities have been meticulously planned to adhere to all social distancing measures and so far haven’t included a rugby ball.

Players Matty Ferguson and Yannick Debil have prepared rugby specific activities that have pushed the squad to the limits but already the improvement in fitness levels is incredibly noticeable.

However, the infamous Bronco test has been the main talking point.

The test is used as a measure of aerobic endurance, and with the leaderboard being posted on the clubs social media page each week, the reward for the quickest is high.

Currently, back row Rob Reid, holds the number one spot with an impressive time of 4.36 but the whole squad are determined to knock him off top spot.

The sessions are for all players who may fancy getting involved with the club in any shape or form and have been a great way of regaining the sense of normality for everyone. People interested in coming along can either contact the club or turn up on Saturdays.

Prudhoe and Stocksfield look set to compete in the third division of the Durham and Northumberland League next season as results and performances have picked up in recent times.