A letter from the Chairman

I would like to congratulate those players who played on Saturday against

Brockleians especially the younger members of the team and the players who would

normally be playing for the 2nd Team but have courageously stepped up.  I know we

lost the game but I think it was, despite the scoreline, rather marginal.  We

dominated the scrum and competed in the line out and in the loose.  We did not

manage to take our chances when we had the ball in hand in the backs in wet and

slippery conditions where Brockleians did.  I do not believe Brockleians will present a

problem for us after Christmas with the return home fixture.  It was good to see

Tommy back from injury showing quality in the backs and I thought Tony Wise was a

colossus especially when he moved back to the number 8 position.  I would also like

to point out, the tackle rate from Carl Cleal was enormous.  Probably one of the best

displays of tackling from an open forward that I have seen in many years of watching

and playing in Corinthian rugby. 

I think it goes without saying, the whole Club is struggling with manpower.  The

World Cup has been a bit of a distraction especially for the social sides and this is

not just true of New Ash Green; all Clubs have had problems.  We have also had a

serious injury problem in the First Team which, together with the World Cup and

promotion to a higher level, has caused a bit of a perfect storm.

 When you are a small village Club, you have a massive advantage over larger Clubs

as you know who and what exactly you are playing for and everybody knows your

name.  I know this for a fact, as I have over the years spoken to team captains from

other clubs who do not know their players names and certainly do not stay for a

beer after the game as New Ash Green players do. I also know by talking to my

contemporaries at other clubs, most of whom I have played against, that opposition

do not like playing us at home because of the support we get and the 'village' all for

one and one for all spirit that exists at New Ash Green RFC. However, a lack of

strength in depth of players does expose us when we have some injury issues.  This

will get better and we will get back up to strength.  

So far this season we have not won many games and, viewed in isolation, rather like

Chelsea football club, we are having a bit challenging time.  If viewed in a wider

context over the last 2 or 3 seasons, games lost overall would be exceptionally low.

 With the benefit of hindsight, it may have been an idea last year to arrange some

fixtures with stronger opposition and perhaps get used to the idea that occasionally

you lose a game of rugby and do not win with a handsome margin all of the time

which, I think this season, has shocked some players. 

I have noticed that the training numbers have been dropping off recently.  This may

be a combination of injuries and nights drawing in but Gary has always been as fair

as possible regarding if you come training you will get a crack at the First Team.

 Dwindling numbers has a downward spiral so it is upto all of us to encourage and

cajole our team mates.  Greater numbers would mean we could realistically look at

outside coaching resources or artificial training surfaces or even indoor areas to

practice our style of play.  I hope the training numbers will increase.