Weekly Update - A Clean Sweep Across the Board
What a fantastic weekend of rugby with a clean sweep of wins from U13s (x2); 14s, 16s, Colts, both 1st and 2nd XVs through to the ladies comprehensive victory in their first competitive league match. 8 matches played, 8 won. Not sure it gets much better than that!
New Club Vision:
As part of our planning sessions, last week we agreed a vision for the club for the first time.
It is:
”To be a welcoming community focused club, where everyone can enjoy the game of rugby & thrive with a desire for excellence and a love of the game, all being achieved through teamwork & respect”.
It is important for us to have this vision and to ensure everything we do fits within this aspiration.
2nd XV now top of the league:
Our 2nd XV played away against Maidenhead on Saturday, winning 12-22. Maidenhead have always been a local powerhouse and are one of the favourites for that league. This was a proper statement win and puts us at the top of the league. Two seasons ago we were close to folding our 2s side and this transformation is truly remarkable and it’s testament to the work that Russ Bolton and his coaching team and 2nd XV leadership team of Nick Martin, Kwongy, Max Wright and so many others have put in. Well done lads, seriously impressive work.
We had however a few issues with kit on Saturday and we had to get someone to drive to Maidenhead with ten pairs of shorts as they were about to kick off with a few of our lads in their pants. Our thriving for excellence aspiration clearly has a way to go yet!
1st XV Win vs Oxford Quins 2:
A comprehensive win against Oxford Quins 2 on Saturday sees us up to third with 15 points from a possible 20. Our forwards dominated up front and laid the platform for a number of tries, winning 65-17. Most pleasing was significantly improved discipline, a key work on. Clearly its easier to be disciplined when you are on top, but still a big step in the right direction. James Finlay was presented his man of the match award from Dan Orford of Blue Dragon fame, a long standing supporter and sponsor of the club.
Junior Wins All Round:
The U13s won both their matches yesterday against Harpenden 35-30 & High Wycombe 50-5, followed by the 14s beating Milton Keynes away 28-39, U16s beating Reading Abbey 24-5 in a physical encounter. However the best drama of the weekend was saved for the Colts beating Reading in the last play of the game with winger Leo Marchant scoring the winning try, dancing alongside the touchline, evading two tacklers to score under the posts. 19-12 was the final score and we now advance into the next round of the National Cup.
Ladies Win vs Phoenix/Aylesbury:
The highly anticipated first competitive ladies match couldn’t have gone better, winning 55-10. Whilst I’m sure sterner tests may lay ahead this was a fantastic way to start their campaign with a big crowd in attendance too.
Positive Feedback:
We had a great lunch before the Quins match, Mike Hall continues to excel with what appears never ending funny material. We had one guest at lunch from Auckland New Zealand and he commented to me at the end of the day on how welcoming the club was and how much he enjoyed his day. Sounds like we are doing well