Coaches corner - Last home league match
Welcome, I can’t believe that we are already at our final home league game of the season. With the changes in the league structure a few years ago it means we finish reasonably early and then shift focus to the Papa John’s Cup. I do miss those final league games in late April when the sun tended to be out and everybody was in a party mood. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us on Saturday and we can create an incredible atmosphere at Windsor End.
On Saturday we welcome Old Haberdashers RFC to the club. Back in early December we beat them away from home 5-21 in what was a pretty grim affair as weather conditions made it tough for any kind of flowing rugby. Old Habs are currently second from bottom, 9 points adrift of Aylesbury with 10 points available over the final two games. From the beginning of January they have won three games, including a thrilling victory against Aylesbury in their last match which kept their survival hopes alive. They have lost four games all of which were by 5 points or less. Make no mistake this is a competitive side fighting for their lives and they will prove tough opposition on Saturday for our boys.
From our point of view we are looking to make history on Saturday. If we can ensure a top five finish over the next couple of games then it will be our highest ever league standing, besting a 6th place finish back in 2018/19. This would represent a phenomenal achievement from our players having returned to the league this year and certainly from my point of view I feel we are only scratching the surface of our potential and there are a number of games where we feel we should have had a greater return of league points. When we consider that two years ago we had a cup win and last year’s unbeaten league season this generation of players really are creating a legacy of what can be achieved by this club both now and in the future.
Two weekends ago we travelled into Central London to Regents Park to take on Belsize who sit one place above us in third. It was an outstanding contest between two good sides and we eventually came off on the wrong side of a 21-17 defeat. Our boys put in a tremendous effort in both attack and defence and for much of the match looked the better side. Another one of those games where a single moment could have changed the outcome. It was another game that shows the quality we have and how we are competing with the top sides in the league but it was also incredibly frustrating to have another game against the top three which didn’t quite go our way. Personally I feel we could have beaten London Scottish twice and won this Belsize game and then we are really talking about being title contenders. I want to make a special mention to two players. Owain Griffiths who took the reins at 10 in Aled’s absence. Owain put in an outstanding performance marshalling the team around the park and bringing out the best in those around him. Whenever Aled decides his playing days are done (hopefully not too soon) it’s nice to know we will have another Welsh general to lead us forward. I also want to mention Henry Revill who finally returned from injury. His calm leadership and the quality that he brings, both as an individual but also in his centre partnership with Will Howells takes us to another level. I’m delighted to have him back on the field and as captain. I must also thank the hoards of travelling support we had on the touchlines. It was incredible to see friends, family and partners all cheering us on along with the occasional Chinese tourist taking selfies during our warm up! Not all clubs get the level of support that we do for our 1st XV and we are incredibly grateful to those who turn out week in, week out, home and away. Thank you.
It has been an excellent month so far for the 2nd XV. It began with a magnificent victory over local rivals A&C, running out 55-31 victors. With the 1st XV having played on the Friday night it was a bumper crowd who got to witness some outstanding running rugby and some excellent performances from some of our regular 2nd XV players such as Ed Tayler, Alex Watson and Joe Brawn to name a few. We also saw 1st XV regulars James Findlay and Owain Griffiths who were unavailable for the Friday evening game don the 2nd team shirt. Both had excellent games and I think it showed a change in attitude towards what playing for this club means. Lot’s of players should strive to be in our 1st XV but everyone should be willing to put on a club shirt and give their best. Under Nick Martin’s guidance the quality of our 2’s rugby is consistently improving and the lads are having a great time competing and playing with their mates. They backed up this win with a narrow victory over Slough 1st team and this cements their place in 6th position. With 2 games to play they are only 8 points off Rams 3rd team who are 2nd. This Saturday they will also be at home playing Thatcham, please get along early to show your support, as Nick would say, Vamos.
Over the past couple of months it has been excellent to have a number of our senior colts start to make the transition into adult rugby. Christian Cotter has led the charge slotting in seamlessly as the 2nd XV’s starting 9. Last match he was joined by Elliot Brown and Alfie White and it is so pleasing to see the next generation of Beaconsfield players take to the field. Matt Jordan has done an excellent job in managing and coaching the Colts which is one of the toughest jobs in the club as he fights for their attention against all manner of challenges (school, work, social life, getting out of bed!). Thank you for everything you do Matt and we look forward to seeing more of these young adults in 1st and 2nd XV shirts in the months to come. On a similar train of thought we are busy recruiting for next season, looking for new players to join our club and trying to bring back as many of our youth players as possible. If any of you know of people we should be speaking to then please do put me in touch. Our supporters singing the club's praises has a tremendous impact on the reputation of our club, you have a huge part to play in the future success of the club.
Finally for today I am hoping that we will be welcoming a large number of our minis players down to the club. With 1’s and 2’s at home I want there to be a bumper crowd to celebrate all the great things we have achieved over the season so far. Part of my vision for next season is to begin to make the club much more connected with minis, juniors and seniors (both male and female) all supporting each other in a variety of ways. One of those will be to offer mini and junior age groups the chance to support us on a match day, receiving a coaching session before the game, interacting with the 1st XV and forming a guard of honour to welcome the players onto the pitch. This week we are inviting all minis players from U7-U12 to join us for a match day experience. You don’t need to sign up, just come along for a 1.45pm start. I’m looking forward to an incredible family atmosphere for both games.
That’s it from me. Hopefully I've got a home cup tie to write to you beforehand but if not then I’d like to take a moment to thank all of you who have welcomed me and my family to the club so wholeheartedly. I’ve had such an enjoyable first season at the club and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us.
Russ
