In the first of a series of interviews with Skolars playing and coaching personnel Ian Ramsdale talked to new Skolars signing Matt Bradley after his debut in the Capital Challenge match against Wigan Warriors:

Half-back Matt Bradley is confident he will continue his rapid development, under the instruction of Skolars’ head coach Joe Mbu.

Bradley signed with Skolars for 2014, having played for the University of Gloucestershire All Golds in last season’s Championship 1.

“I am really enjoying it, with Joe’s coaching,” Bradley told the Rugby League Down South podcast, “I’m glad I made the move.

“I had a good end to the Championship 1 season last year – I grew as the games went on.

“Hopefully I can just keep going and progressing under Joe.

“This year hopefully I can step on again, and with the pack we’ve got here it should be a bit easier for me this year. I’m looking forward to it.

Bradley played his first game for the side in Friday’s traditional season opener, the Capital Challenge.

There was a record crowd of 805 for the event, which this year celebrated it’s 10th year. Skolars lost 48-0 to a very impressive and young Wigan Warriors XIII, packed with talent mostly from their championship winning u19s side.

“I enjoyed it, all the lads did,” said Bradley. “When you’re coming up against some of the best talent out there it’ll always be tough.

“We got out of it what we wanted to. It’s something I work on.

Skolars have another few pre-season games before their Championship 1 season begins,

“The set up we’ve got is great. And the New River stadium being refurbished this year, it’s onwards and upwards.”

You can hear more from Matt Bradley, and coach Joe Mbu, in the latest episode of Rugby League Down South – a podcast about the sport across the south.

http://www.spreaker.com/user/ianramsdale/rlds-capital-challenge-24jan14-2-8