"We left (home) as people do. I knew not a soul on arriving at college in England. After the rugby club trials I knew half the college. I knew not a soul in the vastness of London on arriving as a tyro journo in the southern suburbs. One train to Richmond, change at Clapham Junction and I was immersed in that oasis called London Welsh RFC. Branches everywhere, rugby. And all that stuff about the spirit and the friendships-it's true, all true." I have always liked this quote written by Sunday Times rugby journalist Stephen Jones in his book Endless Winter. It sums up a lot of what rugby is about and how rugby clubs can generate a community spirit of belonging for all involved and as the 2018/19 season draws to a close, with only two games remaining for Stags, it's time for a brief reflection, on a day after the team were beaten 36-0 by Chinnor III, a team to be fair that would challenge for the title in the league above if the regulations allowed them to be promoted.

It is primarily about the players, of course it is, but is is also about a great deal more. Earlier in the season Stags were at Readingensians, A's were at Maidenhead. Layne Grieve was at Rams for the first half watching John before travelling to Maidenhead at half time to watch Seth play for the A's to support her boys; one phone call and Scott Butterworth turns up at Chinnor with his camera happy to take a squad photograph before the game; Nicky Campling with her first aid knowledge helping out with minor knocks at Chinnor; Catherine Hanna, without being asked becoming like an unofficial ball person at Chinnor, chasing balls that had been kicked into touch and which had travelled up to 150 to 200 yards so strong was the wind. If there hadn't been hedges along the side of the pitch it is likely Catherine would have ended up chasing the balls into Thame town centre. And the list goes on. They do it, we all do it for the players, for the club, for that sense of community that is so important to us all. But what about the players. There have been many highlights this year of individual and team skills of the highest order but I am not intending recounting any on field instances, but rather one off field instance that occurred at the end of the game at Chinnor last weekend, which gave me the idea for this (er) match report. Remember, the team had lost 36-0 and up steps Alex Weekes to say a few words to the team as they linked arms in the way teams tend to do at the end of each game. There was an emotional intelligence in what Alex said that was quite inspiring. He knew instinctively what to say to the group to raise morale. After all there is always some despondency after losing a match. Alex talked about that feeling of comradeship, that feeling of belonging, that feeling of being proud in Newbury RFC, that feeling of being part of something together, that feeling of community. Feeling the moment I am sure, Ross articulated how proud he was of the team and what a privilege it has been being part of Stags this year. And without question that goes for me too.

Oh yes, before I forget..... the game. Well, there are some matches when teams have to shrug their shoulders and simply say we were beaten by a better team on the day, and so it was with Stags in this match. It wasn't all downside, though. Man of the match Alex Hawthorn made some strong runs making many yards, Joseff Brown in only his second game for Stags made a significant contribution with his tackling in the centre and pushed Alex very close for man of the match, colt Ed Gavin stepped into senior rugby seamlessly, making a number of turnovers which belied his relative youth. It was a shame Stags could travel with only 16 players. This made it an uphill struggle from the start, particularly with Henry Meredith having to come off with a head injury towards the end of the first half, having provided a very good service to Joel Cripps at outside half, in spite of the intense pressure he was under from the Chinnor pack. One of the most positive features was that after the first 10 minutes, during which time Chinnor had scored three tries, Stags stopped them from scoring for the next 25 minutes with a great defensive effort. Well done to the team for the effort they put into what was a very physical and difficult match.

Reboot, rest up for a week, see who wins the Six Nations and then back at it for the visit of Henley III on 23rd March, the only home game being played this day. Be great if we could have a big home support.

Like Stephen Jones, people leave home and for a number of reasons. One of the newest members of Stags, who recently arrived at Newbury for work, knowing very few, if any people, joined a group of players at a restaurant in Newbury last week for a meal. "I knew not a soul on arriving at college in England. After the rugby club trials I knew half the college....................And all that stuff about the spirit and the friendships-its true, all true." Step up Newbury RFC, our club, our community.