Seasoned followers of the Phoenix Scooby Doos may well have been wondering what has happened to the match reports this year. I dare say that a sense of relief at their absence may be more likely, but your correspondent felt that he could not avoid going into print one at least one (or maybe two) occasion(s) this year.

It’s been a tricky year in many ways, the impact of covid and associated factors have hit the game hard at grassroots level and Phoenix is no different. There have been times this year where the team management have been involved in a lot of last-minute rearranging to make sure the games get on – between injuries, unavailabilities and lads leaving the game altogether it has been a lot of work.

However, it would be churlish to label a season where the Scoobies have averaged 40 points for, less than 8 points against per game (and win every game in the process) and come away with silverware anything less than a success in the end.

There have been some tremendous performances and some key points that stick in the memory:

In the season opener away at Dinnington, young Bailey Forrester scored a hattrick inside the first 15 minutes, then promptly pulled his hamstring and limped off. These lads are always doing things in a rush…maybe he just didn’t want to show off.

In two consecutive games in September, the Scoobies managed to score more than a point a minute, finishing the game having scored 81 points and exhausted the man updating the scoreboard each time.
The highlight of the second win was Josh Yemm discovering he had brought the wrong after match shirt with him and needing some quick work with the scissors to be able to get it on. And also the Christmas performance of Lawrence Arnold's band at the Salutation - complete with slightly drunk but very well dressed cheerleaders. A good night out.

However, there were big obstacles to overcome. Against Sheff Engineers, the less than 20 Scoobies walked to the pitch to see what looked like half of Sheffield University warming up. With the full Rourke’s Drift spirit in evidence, the waves of attackers were fought off, with the effort bolstered in spirit when Lawrence Arnold’s tackle on their big centre resulting in the latter’s knee becoming a funny shape and him having to leave the field. The result was a 10-point victory for the home side.

At the beginning of April, the winning margin was even closer with Phoenix nicking a single point win at home over Sheff Abbeydale 3rds in a 20-19 nailbiter. This showed the toll the season had taken on the Phoenix ranks, but also the First, sorry thirst for victory the Sheffield side had developed over time.
So, some winning margins were large and others small but there was always, through skill luck and sometimes sheer doggedness, a winning margin for the Scoobies.

In addition to this, a key take-away from the season is that if you discuss returning to play after a bit of a lay off with the 2nd XV manager, run fast and run far as it’s a licence to get injured. Your correspondent wishes Joe Bryant and Johnno Nightingale speedy recoveries from their injuries.

And we don’t discuss the Hemsworth away game, ever. There are painful associations.

Then the re-structured midweek cup rolled around and the Scoobies were drawn home and away against Pontefract. It was a tricky tie, with both teams playing a rugged, physical style of rugby across both legs, with the lead Phoenix opened up at home eventually enough to see them through to the final after 160 mins of play.

To the final, with memories of 2016 running through your correspondent’s head as it was Sheff Tigers at home on pitch 2. It’s fair to say it was a game of contrasting style, with the speed and width of Tigers against the strength and force of Phoenix. A favourite moment of the home supporters was the 40m driving maul to score in the 2nd half, a feat you don’t often see. Only a point ahead with 3 minutes to go, the Scoobies held their nerve and 10 minutes later they held the trophy.

And so, we reach the season’s end. Your correspondent has added a few memorable images, some relating to the tales above, into a gallery to give some depth to the tale, so if you have a few moments please feel free to browse a few of those before the kitbags are put away and the boots hung up for another year.

Although I have heard mention of A Grand Day Out on Bank Holiday Monday……