We have reached the halfway point of this season and we continue the strong progress reported at the end of October. We have put out two teams each Saturday over the course of the last month – we have not been able to do this for quite a few years. The 1’s have not conceded a try in 3 games and repeated bonus point wins have taken us to third in the league behind Ealing and Uxbridge the two sides who beat us in our first two league games back in September. The 2’s have split their games losing very narrowly away to Cuffley in their most recent fixture and are second in their league. The benefit to the club of putting out two teams each week has been the key change this season compared to recent times and our coaching team is beginning to see good competition across most positions.

We have 70 playing members and numbers at training each week approaching 40. However, it is clear that to sustain our current position and to drive our performance into next season when we are hopefully promoted – we need up to 90 playing members. Injuries and player unavailability is such that we need more recruits to get to these numbers. The clubs recruitment efforts this season have been much better organised - however, us social members and former players can help more here. If you know anyone that plays rugby in London, is about to move here and who would like to join an ambitious yet social club or has just stopped playing and with some encouragement might start again – please let us know and we will get in touch with him.

Much of what I outlined in the initial update in October continues – our committee is doing great work across a number of areas, our Social Media efforts via the website and app are a big step forward and the post-game atmosphere the club gets better.

We are building for the future but are not forgetting our past. We have a Vets fixture in January and hope to get a few more in before the end of the season. Our league splits in two after our January 11TH fixture against London French and our remaining league fixtures will be decided then. Once we have these we will communicate the date of Presidents Day. We will also initiate a playing service recognition award to reflect milestones in number of games played for the club. A playing service recognition medal will be awarded to those achieving 25, 50 and 100 games to honour these achievements.

We have made progress this season but there is much still to do – we are winning games and not conceding tries yet can still improve some aspects of our game and we will be tested when the league splits and our fixtures are only against the top handful of team.

Those of us old timers who go the club on a Saturday can see the initial progress and have really enjoyed our Saturday afternoons and evenings. I would encourage more former players/members to come see for yourself.

Lastly, I would like to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.