CHAMPIONS!

Suffice to say nothing less than a win would ensure that not only would we gain promotion, but also we would go up as Champions of Division 2..

A healthy crowd from both Fullers and our erstwhile opponents Hitchin were in attendance on a gloriously sunny day, which was going to ensure an open game throughout..

You could cut the tension from both the players and supporters with a knife, and you could see both sides were aware of the implications of defeat and of course what victory meant.

How to review what turned out to be an utterly magnificent victory that not only secured our third straight promotion but also confirmed us as CHAMPIONS as well. The scoreline of 49-19 was a fantastic outcome and as a final league game was one that we can remember for some time.

This was a complete squad performance where everyone, including our injured played a vital part..

From Andrew at 15, who was comfortable under the high balls that came his way, to his desire to run it back to Hitchin to turn defence in attack, and never let up with his vocal encouragement to the players in front of him, making sure that everyone was focused on what they needed to do and where they needed to be..

To the wingers of Ethan and Dom, both of whom ran like the wind when given the opportunity, whether it was to chase a kick from Alex, or with ball in hand, both are tricky players who can glide past the first tackler, and in the case of Dom, score two outstanding tries, the first of which he scorched up the wing to score, and the second where he cut through the then tired Hitchin defence to go in under the posts..

To the midfield of Harry P, Luke and Dylan (who replaced the injured Luke), these three were like bulls, driving deep and far into the Hitchin defence, invariably breaking tackles and offloading onto the next player. Harry scored 2 great tries, which his performances over the last games have deserved - he was big and strong, and there was no answer forthcoming. Both Luke and Dylan were not bit part players, they ran hard, broke the line almost every time, they tackled like demons, and never gave an inch, creating good second and third phase ball for the forwards.

Alex at 10 not only scored two tries, one of which was a tad lucky coming from a knock on by Hitchin, which he picked up off the floor and was gone before anyone could react, to the other where he found a little bit of space to go through, and even had time to do an “Ashton” as he went over. It was his kicking which set him apart, from hand he made Hitchin turn time and again, finding spaces behind, to his place kicking where he landed 7 from 7, leading the back line and calling the moves that set up the other tries scored by the backs. A great fly half performance.

The little General at 9, marshalled his pack from start to finish, making sure that we had good clean ball, keeping up the tempo of the forwards, doing what a good 9 does, linking the play from the forwards to the backs. Despite being the smallest on the pitch his voice could clearly be heard, demanding more and more from his pack and getting it.

Our back row - how to describe them? A Trio of men who hunted as a pack. Where there was one, invariably there was the other two, Aidan and Nic making tackle after tackle after tackle, and with Paddy at 8 driving with the ball they created the platform for the rest of the team to function. There wasn’t a blade of grass that they didn’t cover, and even when Hitchin did get scores back Nic made sure that the team focused on getting back up the other end to redress the balance. As usual our captain led from the front setting the standard for the team.. Like all good back row forwards they were first to the breakdowns and created many turn over balls for us to feed upon, Aiden in particular was very fleet of foot, and his scrum cap head could be seen at the bottom of many a ruck after having sprinted to be there. Nic scored the only try by the forwards with a tank-like charge over 10 ten meters with players falling off him as he buried the ball over the line.

Our second row had a tough battle, but were more than up for the challenge. At the line out Harry D was disruptive on their throw in, and ably supported by Ross and then by Moses (who would think a winger would go well as 2nd row) they mauled as a unit, made the important line breaks to keep us on the front foot and were strong in the tackle. Our set piece scrums came under huge amount of pressure from Hitchin throughout the game but they held firm and ensured that we kept possession when we needed it.

Our Front Row had a very tough challenge especially in the set piece, where for once we were out-manoeuvred by Hitchin, but they never wavered and both Shahen and Joe at 2 nicked the odd one against the head, and Keegan and Ollie had great moments with the ball driving low and hard. They stood up to the challenge posed and were not found wanting. The fact that all 4 (who played) are very mobile around the pitch ensured that we were rarely outnumbered at breakdowns and their stamina is to be applauded.

As for applause I can't forget the walking wounded of Tom and Rohan, the latter especially was very vocal in his encouragement and guidance to the team whenever a stoppage occurred.

A massive vote of thanks has to go to the coaching team led by Tim, who have taken the team now to the dizzy heights of the top Division, and we cannot underestimate the fact that we have now had 3 back to back to promotions, playing some great rugby at times, and ensuring that boys are set up right for the success that we have witnessed this season.

As parents we can be rightly proud of the squad that has been assembled, the team spirit that the guys have, their desire to play for each other and to never let their heads go down.. The achievement that Saturday has given is one that we all have contributed too, whether it’s the washing of kit, getting the boys to the games, (making sure that they have gum shields!), ferrying the wounded to A&E wards when required but above all supporting from the sidelines in wind and rain, and having fun doing so..

Hitchin were a credit to the game and despite being on the wrong side of the scoreline never stopped playing and at times were very threatening. This was epitomised by their main player and prop who, despite taking a painful injury to his arm, never once thought of coming off and scored an excellent try himself. He showed dedication to the cause and should be applauded for that.

Thanks to all who came to watch the game today, you would have not left disappointed with the result nor with the manner of the game and we have an awards night that we can all look forward too, (I am hoping that finally I will win linesman of the year!!)

Next season will be very tough, (to say the least) and will be a step up again, against some of the consistently top sides in the county, however that is for the future, now it is about celebrating.. And lets not forget that the B team have a final to play in and we should all be behind them as they go for some silverware of their own..

Rob