BRENTWOOD Rugby Club are targeting a top half finish as they look forward to kicking off their third season in the London & South East Division One North.

Brentwood have narrowly avoided relegation for the last two seasons since getting promotion to the sixth tier of English rugby, but director of rugby Steve Killington has bolstered his squad ahead of the new campaign.

With injuries and a shortage of backs a main concern last season, Killington has managed to keep the vast majority of last year's squad whilst bringing in four new faces and drawing on the club's burgeoning youth setup.

"We want to do better than we have done the last two years," revealed Killington. "We're looking to be in the upper half of the table. We didn't have a scrum half for the first part of last season, and had people playing out of position.

"We're in a lot stronger position than we were last season squad wise. We've got a bigger squad which is what we needed. Hopefully if we get our best side out, we should be able to compete with most teams in the division."

Two of the four new signings will be familiar faces to Brentwood fans, with centre Jon Wylie and winger Scott Dowler returning to the club. Winger Ryan Dee joins from Bracknell, whilst Tom Larkin, a full-back has signed from Clifton.

Meanwhile, winger Andrew Lloyd, who spent most of last season out injured, will also be available for selection.

The only player to leave is prop Aston Bevans-Royston, who has moved on to Thurrock. "I think he was offered a deal he couldn't refuse," added Killington.

Brentwood start their season this Saturday when they travel to newly promoted Rochford Hundred.

"Rochford is always a tough one," said Killington. "They've just been promoted and the last time we played them was a couple of years ago.

"I think we won there by one point but that was the first time we'd won there in a while."

That match is followed by a home game against Thurrock on September 10, with the visitors one of the division's big spenders this summer.

"We're never going to have the budget to compete with other clubs," said Killington. "But we've got one of the best mini and youth systems in the whole of England never mind Essex.

"It's just a matter of keeping them playing rugby. A few who have come through the ranks will also be part of the first team this year."

Report by Anthony Sherwood.