Witty targets wins for “deserving” Falcons
Fresh from making his Aviva Premiership debut at Gloucester Will Witty is hoping to make a continued impact as the Falcons head to Sale for the penultimate round of the Aviva Premiership.
The 20 year old enjoyed a cameo appearance towards the end of the last Premiership round to mark his league debut, after making his first start for the first team earlier in the season in the European Rugby Challenge Cup.
Throwing himself into the last ditch efforts to preserve the Falcons lead, Witty acquitted himself well and is now hungry for future involvements, in a competition that the Malton born player acknowledges to be a further step up from Europe.
“The first team is a lot more physical there a lot more senior and bigger guys playing so it is a massive step up, particularly playing second row and in the front five. When I got on, it was the first thing I noticed, it seemed quite a lot more physical than the A League and also European games.”
Coming into a cacophony of noise in the cauldron that was created by a 12,000 strong crowd roaring their team onwards, the electric atmosphere did nothing to intimidate the young Yorkshireman, with Witty relishing the experience.
“We managed to keep them quiet for most of the game, which was good, we had played some really good rugby and were winning for most of the game. I think the only time they really came alive was right at the end and I just remember the full time whistle went and the whole place erupted.”
“In the build up to it, you’re always a bit nervous and a bit apprehensive but when you’re on the pitch, it doesn’t matter how long you play it soon goes and your sharp sat in the dressing room thinking I wish I could do that again.”
The chance to “do that again” could come as early as this weekend in the “derby” against Sale and if that opportunity comes, Witty maintains that the experiences of a fortnight ago can be put to good use by the team.
“We’re desperate to get those wins in these last two games of the season because we feel we deserve it. Every game we play in, we want to win, you can’t dwell on previous week, you’ve got to learn from your mistakes, hold your chin high and get on with it.”
“It’s been the story of our season, we’ve taken every team in the league so close and then just not finishing these games off. As a squad, I think we deserve a couple of wins and everyone is desperate to get two from two.”
“Going to Sale, they are a powerful team who will come at us, but we’ve played some really quick rugby this year and I think if we can move the ball about and play at pace, then I think we can open up some gaps for us.
“Everyone believes that we can, it’s just putting it out there on the field and the lads will work every ounce out there to get the wins.”
