Development Squad end of season Tour

The Third Team Development squad ended the season in time honoured fashion with a cultural trip to the English Riviera over the weekend of 27th/28th.

Oakmeadians RFC of Bournemouth were the hosts and after a leisurely drive down and quiet evening of meditation and reflection on Friday and a bracing walk and light refreshments on Saturday morning we trotted off to Meyrick park for our fixtures against Oakmeadians and fellow tourists Ashleydown Old Boys from Bristol. Fine weather and a firm pitch awaited.

First up were Oakmeadians. We received kick off took the ball into a ruck, were turned over and they scored down our left - Good start!!

Welwyn then started to play and good interplay between forwards and backs led to Mevans going in under the posts converted by Ant.

Andy then scored the first of his afternoon hatrick by skinning his opposite number - also converted by Ant.

In the second half the old man then followed up a long cross kick by Ant to catch a wicked bounce which wrong footed their full back to score and partly redeem himself for having dropped the ball over the line a few minutes before - something which would come back to haunt him later.

Final score 19 - 5.

Just time for a glass of Port between games........................phew

Second game against Ashleydown was more of the same without the early concession. Andy scored two excellent wingers tries out of nothing both converted by Ant.

James lynch broke well to set up an attacking scrum near their line and then Mevans and Ant combined to put the Old man in the corner who safely grounded this time.

Just time for a couple of runs by Jamie, and Brad to be cut in half and dumped (ouch!) before the final whistle.

Final score 19 - 0.

The support from the men in pink was loud and proud at all times - thankyou Longshanks, Colin, Brian and Mick.

All who played under skipper for the day 'Long' Tom Hughes were magnificent and defended the honour of the club both on the pitch, in the bar, on the Draughts board (before Mevans blew!) and especially at Court under hanging Judge Lynch's steely gaze (especially in the light of some unusual punishments meted out by the local Jury and their unorthodox Bye-Laws).

Bournemouth just survived the subsequent evening out..................

Players - Rory, Jamie, Jason, Mevans, Jezza, Long Tom, Brad, Solez, Harry, Stokesy, Dan, John W, James, Andy, Smiffy, Ant, Nibbles, Old man Humphries, Role Model Cleary, Non playing Judge Lynch and the Honey Monster Heyward.

Overall Stats from the season (Including Tour)

Played 27 Won 14 Drawn 2 Lost 11

League position 3rd - semi finalists in merit table cup.

Most Appearances
Len 'Role Model' Cleary - 24
Jon 'Old Man' Humphries - 24
Si 'Hanging Judge' Lynch - 21
Jason 'Welsh' Williams - 19

Tries scored
Jon 'Old Man' Humphries - 15
Andy 'Run Forest Run' Smith - 10
Len 'Role Model' Cleary - 10

Top points scorer
Ant 'Loud after closing time' Newsom
exact total unknown but 25 x PG/Cons, 5 tries

The development squad has provided five colts players for first team league matches at various times throughout their successful season - well done
Yourgos Alexander, James Coughlan, Tom Jankowski , Gooey Louie and Ant Newsom.

Also many players for the 2's, Brad, Stokesy, Solez, Jamie, Mevans, Jason, Long Tom, Jezza, Austen, Joe B, Jack, Chapman, Alex Osbourne (and others I may have missed - sorry).

Several have represented the county at various levels and represented the club with honour. In addition to this many of the Colts named above reached the semi finals of the County 7s - losing to the eventual winners.

The coaching team of Mick, Si, Counsellor Lenny and the Old Man are knackered - thanks for a great season...........................................