A season with definitely more highs than lows did not prevent us approaching the 2 Easter weekend fixtures with more than a degree of trepidation. 2 wins could deliver 2nd position in the league, 1 win a possible 3rd position, and 2 defeats would = 4th position, but which nonetheless would represent our highest end of season position.
Despite our best efforts to determine availability in advance, 2 games over the holiday weekend, probably not surprisingly, translated to double selection problems. That said, the final “selections” served to confirm that we are fortunate to have a pool of real talent available which allowed us to perform very well in both games.
Easter Saturday saw us travel to Sedgley Park, with a team that included some new faces (Nick Smith and Chris Findlow making their 2nd team debuts), an old favourite making his 1st appearance of the season (Nev) and a number of players featuring in unaccustomed positions (Mike K at 9, Alex H at 6, Martin S at 10, and Ben Monsey playing most of the game on the wing).
The opening exchanges were evenly matched and though we then conceded 10 points, we soon rallied and after Martin Shelley popped a penalty over, Chris Findlow (a very impressive debutant) finished off a strong effort from the pack, which Martin converted to equal the scores as half time approached.
We felt that we needed to score first in the 2nd half if we were going to prevail, but despite camping on the SP 5 metre line for long periods, they somehow kept us out. As is often the case in such circumstances, we lost concentration when it was our turn to defend, and a couple of long range tries duly put paid to our chances of winning the game. We felt the score didn`t reflect the balance of the play and indeed we felt we could have won. At the end of the day whilst we should have converted the pressure into points we also felt that we had made a good fist of it.
So onto Easter Monday, and another away trip this time up to Vale of Lune against whom we `d already experienced 2 very close games, with 1 win apiece, for a winner takes all game – well 3rd place to be accurate. We were fortunate that Mike Barlow and Greg N were both “fit” enough to play following their cultural trip to Omagh, that Stocky was prepared to set off at 7.30am from Ipswich, that Jan A was happy turn out for us, but also indebted to 4 colts ( Henry Santo, Cameron McPake, Luke Woodworth and Rob Trollope) and their coach, Euan Sterling (whose offer to collect his kit was eagerly accepted) to make themselves available after their game 24 hours earlier.
It was therefore perhaps surprising that we started the game very well, looking the more dangerous of the 2 teams. Unfortunately, Vale sensed that we weren`t perhaps such a tight knit unit and by mid way through the half had opened up a 10 point lead. Nevertheless, with all players digging deep – not least of all the younger players impressing with their determination to make meaningful contributions ably supported up front by the “old” dependables of Jan , Matt F and Nev, and the less experienced James Shaw and Steve Hill, we halved the deficit through a try from Alex H, only to concede 2 more unconverted tries to bring about a half time deficit of 15 points.
Fortunately, the 2nd half was one way traffic as far as point scoring was concerned – our backs started to make inroads – Robbie Wellock made good ground, but it was Nick Wroe who with a trademark burst of speed breached the Vale defence to set us on our way. A try from Jan and a second from Alex, the latter converted Mike B meant 17 unanswered points and consequently a 2 point victory and 3rd place secured as the final whistle blew.
Particular thanks must go to Euan, who at age 40+ played for 40 mins on the wing and whose appearance gave him a full house of teams he has played for this season -2nds, 3rds, 4ths, 5ths and Senior Colts, but recognition is clearly also due to the stalwarts of the team who were not there yesterday – Hugo, Greeny, Ian K, Oakesy, Matt L,Kieran, Will, Phil , Mike K, Rimmer, Dan E, Andy Moreton, Henri, Alex Wilson, Geary and also to all of the other 30+ players who have made appearances this season.
This has been a great season, we`ve played some great rugby reflecting our determination to enjoy our Saturday afternoons (and the recognition that winning is far more enjoyable than losing!) but we know that unless we maintain our high standards then we cannot expect to repeat the feat next season.

RJH