Ah that first Saturday after Christmas when everyone is back and raring to go. Bertie has flown back from sunny SA - so we can expect a good three weeks worth of moaning about the UK climate from him; Bully has sent out an email to the boys basically wetting himself with excitement to be back; the ladies team have a full squad - it's my favourite time of the year!

However - before we start on this weekend's activities let's have a look at Wednesday's game for the U21s.
On a jolly frost evening the boys went out with a scratch side against well drilled Effingham and Leatherhead team. There were some notable faces on the park and the boys acquitted themselves well, unfortunately losing 19-12 in a hard fought battle. There will have been many pleasing things for Director of Rugby Mark Percival to have taken away with him and great to see so many come out and watch on a notably cold evening.
Great effort boys - we look forward to seeing you all back at the end of the next University term!
Fantastic efforts in getting it together from Jim Green and Steph Laventurne - your efforts do not go unnoticed!

Now - onto this weekend's delights.

Saturday sees both the 1st XV and 2nd XV away to Hertford. We wish both teams well - and in the words of Bully - this is the strongest 2nd XV team he can remember putting out.
Very exciting - best of luck to both teams.
On Sunday the Ladies are at home against London Welsh with a 2pm kick off - and they will be looking to repeat their fine victorious efforts from earlier in the season. Be great to have a packed touchline to kick off the 2017 section of the season for the Ladies!

All three team sheets are listed below.

In addition to all of that, on Sunday morning we welcome back the Mini and Youth teams to the club after their Christmas break. I am sure a number of the Dads will be taking part in the annual Christmas belly competition - I hear 5 time title-winner John Woods will be allocating an adjudicator to announce the winner. Photos into me please!

Finally I will leave you with this. On Wednesday - whilst watching the U21s - 1st XV scrum half Rhys Morgan wandered over to chat to me.
In between moaning about how cold his feet were (will these young folk never learn to double sock?!) he started wittering onto me about how much he loved wood and the gel associated with it. I started to look around and wonder if there was someone more equipped to be having this conversation but to no avail. Having looked at him bemused for some time - he went on to explain how he is a carpenter and he loved his job. Lesson here - just ignore anything Rhys says.

Right - that's enough from me - have a great weekend everyone!

Big Love

Badger

1st XV:
1 Bradley Ugodulunwa
2 Jesse Muir
3 Josh Bayford
4 Gary Crowe
5 Dylan Flashman (c)
6 Shawn Renwick
7 Steve May
8 Roy Godfrey
9 Rhys Morgan
10 Bryan Croke (vc)
11 Josh Charles
12 Aaron Lowe
13 Jack Reville
14 Dave Bennett
15 Matt Gilbert
16 Tom Boot
17 Campbell Tait
18 Dan Cheers

Touch Judge
Lee Reilly

Kicking Coach
Tommy Moore

Hydration Specialist
Rob Tait
Connor Toki

Video Analyst
Mark Scott

2nd XV:
1 Phil Viane
2 Ben Brooks
3 James Gillespie
4 Tyler Flashman (vc)
5 Andy Hore
6 Dan Bamford
7 Kane Alboni
8 Joe Dale
9 Ben Newman (c)
10 Jake Noble
11 Alex Kane
12 Jordan Spittle
13 Finn Taylor
14 Nick Ogbonna
15 Adam Ike
16 Dave Roberts
17 Zack Wilkie
18 Dave Thornton
19 Chris Beavan
20 Gav Tusini

Ladies XV:
1. Anna Yeardley
2. Meg Gardiner
3. Maz Nejand
4. Zoe Leake
5. Kim Janssen
6. Cheese Williams
7. Jo Bradley
8. Jen van der scary
9. Maddy Chapman
10. Gutti Gutteridge
11. Emily Martin
12. Sam White
13. Alex Nochicken
14. Laura Venclova
15. Luciana Sobral
16. Olusola Ferera
17. Krissie Phillips
18. Georgina Mangan
19. Christy fowler
20. Rachel Dark