The last week has seen many developments within the club, most importantly the draw for the cup competitions has been made, the RFU EDU Junior Vase draw sees Stoneham play either the Metropolitan Police RFC or Reigate RFC at home. The home tie is especially pleasing to us. However, the games are to be played on the 15th October which coincides nicely to the day that we are due to play the preliminary round of the Gales hampshire plate where we have been drawn against the University of Southampton, last years finalists. Although this fixture is also a home tie for us it makes very little odds as we share a ground with the University so no home advantage for either side. What to do? well only one option really, one of the fixtures will have to be moved to the Sunday and we play twice in a weekend. This will be a massive ask and will really test us. Fortunately, we have the depth in players to "swap out" our front rows, switch people around and have 2 teams with th eminimal amount of players required to play in both matches. I, as captain, will happily and eagerly play in both matches, to be honest, i cant wait!
Why have i titled this weeks blog "Heroes"? because that is what we will need this year. Last season, there were so many heroes in the Stoneham set up, many unrecognised at the end of season awards. Players like Nick Davies (winger) who seldom missed a game, and was always at training. Heroes like John King who was a terminator out on the field, never getting hurt, or if he did playing on regardless, Alistair McEwan, the plucky prop who never gives up, Brian Cook such a decisive runner from full back who threatened and scared the opposition every time he got the ball in hand. Most of all, my hero of last season was the only player to play in all fixtures, Wills Fuller, his positivity, consistancy and determination not to miss a game even if he did have to get changed on the sidelines a minute before kick off, speaks to me on a level that gives me the determination and grit to fight to match such a feat. Ask many players who there heroes are, some will say anyone in the current England team, if you ask a back rower they will say Lawrence Dallaglio, a front rower might say Jason Leonard (who is a legend and no mistake) ask a back and they will say Jonny Wilkinson, but ask me and i will give the same answer, it is the 17 team mates taking the field with me on a astaurday, it is those giving up time with their families after long weeks at work, it is those who take days off or swap shifts to be part of Stoneham Rugby, it is the amateur ethos that are the true heroes of Rugby Union, the professional players, the full timers are great and superb ambassadors for the game (with some exceptions) but thohse that stand tall on a saturday that risk injury and therefore earnings to enjoy the game with their friends are the true heroes of the game.
It will be my absolute honour to lead Stoneham this year, through league and cup campaigns. back to the cup though, Stoneham have been absent from knockout Rugby for a while and i just wanted to finish up with a few words about it. Cup competitions are unpredictable, one can talk of favourites and underdogs but the truth is, it makes no difference, you can win you can lose, in Cup rugby there is only a tomorrow if you win, as a result every player will need to give 150% to progress, but the accolades on offer are worth it, 6 games will see us play at Twickenham, a big ask? yes, will we get there? possibly not, but there is always a chance in knockout rugby and with the Hampshire plate we are 5 games away from lifting the trophy! It will be tough, it will be challenging, but you know what, with the heroes we have in the club there is absolutely no reason, i repeat NO REASON, why we cant do it!!!! so, it just leaves me to say BRING IT ON!
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