LYDNEY goal-kicker Brett Turner says kicking balls at imaginary old women is not for him – despite being advised to do so by Jonny Wilkinson!
Turner recently broke through the 200 points barrier for the season and is in the running to be the leading goal-kicker in National Two South.
The 20-year-old from Littledean – who only joined Lydney from Cinderford this season – spends two hours per day practising his kicking at Regentsholme.
He also spends three nights per week in the gym and two nights training with the club.
He said: "I was lucky enough to spend a whole day with Jonny Wilkinson, which was arranged through my teacher at Dene Magna School, Paul Griffiths.
"It was brilliant because it was just me and him.
"I don't kick a ball like he does – I don't hold my hands out in front of me, for a start.
"He says it helps him to relax and focus.
"My style is more like you would see in rugby league. I tilt the ball on an angle.
"Jonny told me that when he kicks he imagines there's an old lady behind the posts and he tries to hit her.
"I just line up the seam of the ball with the posts and, if we're playing at Lydney, aim for one of the trees in the background. There's usually one to go for."
Turner says he enjoys kicking at Lydney because the ground feels 'small and enclosed'.
He added: "Gloucester and Twickenham are similar – when you're out there, the pitch doesn't feel that big. Cinderford seems much bigger.
"I've got quite big legs which give me a lot of power.
"When I'm training I can kick them over from my own 10m line, but I've never tried one from there in a match.
"Kicking is still an important part of rugby and a lot of matches boil down to who kicks the best."