Gosh - it's like coming back from a hibernation isn't it?! One week away and it seems ages since we all last chatted.
Anyway - good news - Eddie Jones seems to have dealt with our difficult neighbours to the North, the other Celts have nullified each other and France are a very lucky team to have beaten the mighty Azzuri!..... I do understand this is coming from a very English point of view! No - I don't care about that.

Anyway onto Wimbledon related matters: It's game time again for the men of the club this weekend - the Ladies are having a much needed sabbatical and tour fundraiser on Sunday. Knowing them it will be heavily laden with Liquor and foul language - the Beverley Meads Babes them. Quick report from them from last weekend here:

Wimbledon Ladies 27 - 10 Beckenham Ladies

Unfortunately due to numbers we were unable to field a team to take down to Hove for our second round cup game. However it was important that we had game time between now and our next league game away to league leaders Southampton Trojans. We manage to put together a team made up of retired players (Cheese) development players and regular starters to play a friendly against Beckenham 2s. Beckenham only had 14 players so after 20 minutes Cheese went over to help them out on the wing with El following her over to the opposition after 60 minutes when they went down to 13 players to even the sides up to 14 a side. It was a competitive game in which Wimbledon were able to put into practice the game play and set piece that they have been working so hard on in training, in the end Wimbledon finished the game with the win. Tries from Ange Brennan, Maddy Chapman, Luciana and Sophie Blackett (2), Katy Robinson converted one of the tries. There is a rumour that El Donelson also scored which would have made the score 32-10. A big thank you to Cheese for stepping out of retirement again, it's becoming a bit of a habit......

There is no game for the ladies this weekend, next weekend they travel to Southampton Trojans

This weekend sees the following fixtures:

1st XV vs Chichester - oh deep joy! (away)
2nd XV vs Chobham (home)
3rd XV vs Bec Old Boys (home)

So we have a run out with the old "favourites" away - a supportive touch line there is massively encouraged and appreciated. Always good to bring some fine South West London dignity as a reminder to some of our former players..... ahem. The 2nd XV looking to get back to winning ways in a tough run against Chobham and the mighty 3rd XV looking to continue their quest to be league champions. Those last two fixtures are at home - so if you can't make the journey to Chichester - it would be great to see you at HQ. We would like to especially reach out to our Ladies team and have some savagely alcoholic touchline vocalists present!

Presidents Lunch - April 16th

If you are not involved in playing on this date and want a slap up meal at the club, hosted by the ever-fab President (dictator-for-life) Mike Keane, then this is the date for you. It is the before the last 1st XV home game of the season against Westcombe Parke. It is £30/head - please send your requests into Andy Hodge or Mick at the bar. This is always a good one and allows for some of the finest "squiffy" moments of the season.

Back To Netball

Ladies - not interested in the cut and thrust of the rugger? Fancy getting back to one of your face games from previous years? Then we have Back2Netball on Thursdays at the club - hosted by the ever-lovely Deborah Howitt. There is a facebook page and this happens most Thursday nights at the same time as training on the astro turf. I have a funny feeling it is not on tonight due to a tournament and not on the 25th - but if you have any enquiries - please let me know and I will pass onto Deborah. It is also makes for a great game of "who is driving tonight" if both husband and wife are down at the club for training at the same time. Just ask Martin Rogers!

Saturday February 20th ! Ladies and Old Boys Day

Both the 1st and 2nd XVs are playing at home on this date. SO in honour of this we are hosting a lunch at £15/head with bottomless prosseco for the girls .... sounds jolly dangerous if you ask me. This is a great one for the WAGS to get involved in chaps and helps to ensure many a green card further down the road. Also if you want your ladies to bring friends - then the single members of the club would be greatly appreciative. This is a great social day out. Email John Woods, Mick or club captain Dave "The Fuhrer" Roberts if you want to get a table in.

I think that is about it for me. Tour Tour Tour - for all you chaps. We need those numbers into your team representatives please.

On a personal note - thank you to all of you who sent me some very kind birthday messages..... and to those of you who sent me some less kind ones. They are all greatly appreciated.

Have a great end of week and see you Saturday!

Big Love

Badger