As Hemel Stags move into 2013 the step into the semi-professional ranks of Championship 1 draws even closer. Troy Perkins has signed two more players who have learned their Rugby League trade in Hemel Hempstead all their lives.

Gareth Swindells has signed as a Hooker and Loose Forward and Perkins is excited by his potential for next year. He said, 'Gareth is a local lad who has come through our junior system, he has been in the first team squad for the past seven seasons. He can play hooker or loose forward and is a real tough kid. He is a great defender and really tightens up defence in the middle of the field, He deserves an opportunity at this level.'

Perkins has coupled the signing of Swindells with another local player, Tom Sadler. He said, 'Tom is a good addition to the squad. He is a local junior and spent several seasons down at Broncos in the academy. He has a great attitude to training and is always keen to learn. He has been unlucky with injuries over the past couple of seasons which has restricted the number of first team games he has played but if he can stay fit he will add abit to our depth in the hooker position.'

Hemel Stags will play 3 pre-season fixtures with the first one being against London Broncos U19s on the 27th January. Tom Williams, Community Manager, said 'Everyone is getting very excited and I think the pre-season games will be a great way to build up steam toward the Northern Rail Cup and Championship 1 beyond that.'