Diary of a One-Team Club – The First Half of the Season
Racal Decca RFC have now reached the end of the first half of the season and there have been several moments where our club have been riding high. But, all peaks come with troughs and we have been fighting through a particularly challenging dip for the best part of November. What with the side decimated with players either working or attending the internationals, we have struggled to get games played and it seems we are not alone. Many other clubs around us are having the same problem.
I give you a brief rundown of the Racal Decca RFC season so far:
The September season started well, with the club taking part in the annual Old Sutts 10s tournament. Our club usually use this opportunity as a “return to play” training session with a competitive edge. The following week we hosted an Old Suttonians side who proved to be a bit much for us but we began a good fight back in the second half which we would carry on into the next match and, despite the loss, we looked like a side ready for the first merit table match.
October started with a loss against a strong Merton 3s side. With the Surrey RFU cup matches not running from October to January, we were left with a big fixture gap. We finally played again at the end of the month where we beat a very good Egham Hollowegians side. It was the best I have seen Racal Decca play in years with free flowing running, support and an off loading game even the All Blacks would be envious of.
November was very different way with us grinding out a hard fought win against a determined Warlingham side before the England v South Africa match. Little did we know that the game at the beginning of November would be our last until December, what with injuries and work commitments we struggled to get a side out. The following week after the Warlingham match, we had a club social and the opportunity to watch England take on the All Blacks at our new sponsor venue The Garrett and Gauge in Wimbledon.
As December begun in very much the same way as November and it felt like the run into Christmas might have taken hold and left us with a drastic shortage of numbers. However, fortunes seemed to have turned as we managed to get out a strong side against the Met Police this past weekend, where a win would move us back up the table. Saturday’s game proved triumphant and with another win under our belts we moved up to 5th with hopes of pushing into the top half becoming a reality again.
So, as you can see, it been a season so far of near misses, great victories and fighting to keep a very small, very social grassroots side alive. It seems that we, like many others, are fighting hard to get players playing week in week out and I can’t fault the support Fill Your Boots has given us in helping us fulfil some of the fixtures we have till now.
I will finish, as always, on a positive by wishing you all a happy New Year and remember that there is always January to help boost recruitment. Hey, it’s a cheaper alternative to the gym, plus we don’t judge if you stay for a drink afterwards in the Garrett and Gauge!
by Kerry O’Sullivan
