What a great way to finish the season. The eighth straight win for a team that’s really come together and demonstrated sportsmanship, teamwork and no mean level of skill. Old Eds were a complete unknown quantity, the weather was miserable; some people call it proper rugby playing weather but when I’m stood a yard away from my hooker and I can’t recognise him then it can’t be conducive to good handling and open rugby, and we battled our way through and got a great result.

The game was played in fantastic spirit by both teams who appeared evenly matched; lineout’s were tricky with the wind, scrum’s were equally matched, they had a good kicker, so did we, they had some good runners so did we, they had us in the early breakdowns but we fought back. We had a break when one of their most dangerous looking players limped out, although I think he came back on, but we had our player of the year off ill and our runner up for player of the year stood on the touchline with a shoulder injury and unable to play a meaningful role, so it really was nip and tuck, but we seem to have developed a confidence and belief that carries us forward and we played better round the fringes, which led to the first couple of tries and we looked more dangerous in the backs, which consistently presented them with problems. Our tackling was good enough to continually stop them making progress.

Half time was an interesting exercise and eleven changes demonstrated both a strength and weakness. The numbers are fantastic but it’s a logistical nightmare in having to get everyone on for an end of season finale; thank god for a few injuries otherwise it could be worse. It got a bit closer in the second half with Old Eds commanding more territory but we put up a great backs to the wall display and still managed to outscore them. I think it summed up the brilliant character and camaraderie the lads have displayed all year.

Old Eds were gracious hosts and played with a spirit that was a credit to them, the ref was more than reasonable and played the conditions as well as anyone on the day.

I’ve really enjoyed this year. I’d take this opportunity to thank all the people that have helped coach, cajole and coerce this lot into being a functional team. The parents have been supportive throughout, the management has been exemplary but my biggest thanks has to go to the players – each and everyone has been a joy to work with and I’m really looking forward to next season. Thank you one and all.