As the curtain falls on another season, the club can look forward to next year with renewed optimism. Whilst it was always going to be a challenging season for the club, progress continues to be made on and off the field. The club were fortunate to maintain a high degree of continuity on the main committee and in the coaching and management teams of the different sections.

There were, however, changes in the coaching set up of the senior squad with Grant Henwood and Gary Cook taking over the reins. They have instilled a new mentality into the squad and have successfully integrated a large number of talented youth players into the senior squad, whose experiences will surely benefit the club next season. An inconsistent league campaign, where a little more experience could have seen games closed off more successfully, the season climaxed with the 1st XV winning the Essex Senior Cup against local rivals Brentwood. Not to be outdone, the Rams XV finished off their season with an emphatic win over Thurrock in their
Merit Table Plate Final. Playing with a young side all season, this was another promising sign for the future.

The Ravens, meanwhile, enjoyed their most successful season in their ten-year history. As in all sections of the club, the Ladies recruited well during the close season. An early season win in the Ashford Festival triggered off a league and cup “Double”. After becoming the first Essex team to become National Cup Winners last year, they have now become the first team to successfully defend their title by defeating Teddington Antlers 31-12. With Ravens players also accounting for six of the eight tries scored by Essex Ladies against Sussex, the future looks very bright.

Both Youth and Mini sections continue to develop well. For the first time in many seasons, the club now have a full complement of sides in all age groups. Sides have benefitted from good recruitment and membership has grown. A major factor has been the work of our two Club Apprentices Charlie Woods and Jamie Waite, who as Community Rugby Coaches have worked well by visiting and coaching in our neighbourhood schools to develop the game with youngsters that perhaps would not have experienced or considered rugby. The schools were most impressed by their reliability and professional approach.

In the Mini Section, a number of our teams featured in a number of finals at various festivals. Our own Mini Festival proved to be a successful event once again. Well done to those who worked to make it an important date in the club’s calendar. As within the Youth Section, it would be impossible to function without the time put in by our various volunteers who manage or coach the teams, wash the jerseys, or administer first aid, etc. within the different age groups. Thank you all for your efforts.

As the season gets longer, and pre-season seems to start earlier each year, enjoy your brief summer break. September will soon be here. There is a positive feeling that next season will get even better!

Dai Davies