The 1st XV returned to winning ways against Guildford with a resounding 14-29 win away at Guildford. Match resort is, as always, up online.
This makes the top of National 3 start to look very spicy with our chaps only 2 behind league leaders Tonbridge Juddians.

The 2nd XV had an incredible game - winning 40-39 against old rivals Sutton and Epsom - in a game which saw them 12 minutes from time losing 39-12. The chaps really dug deep and a last minute conversion denied the visitors the win amongst junilant scenes from the Dons.

The mighty "maverick" 3rd team also played Sutton and Epsom away and had an emphatic 19-48 win:
A clear but cold Saturday afternoon saw the Mavericks look to extend their unbeaten run against 2nd placed Sutton & Epsom.

The first 20 mins saw The Don's play their best rugby of the season so far, with forwards working hard to secure quick ball for half backs Tim Cronin and Dan Cullen who tore the Sutton defence apart at will putting runners through holes and stretching the Sutton defence across the pitch. 3 tries during this period laid down a marker and showed what this team is capable of when everything clicks.

With the forwards dominating at scrum, line-out and ruck time Sutton and Epsom where struggling to get a foothold in the game and the match was all but done by halftime.

The second half saw more of the same, if perhaps without the same precision, going to uncontested scrums gave Sutton a chance to sure how good their backs were with some front foot ball and they scored a couple of neat tries showing real pace and intelligent running lines.

The Don's front row of Ellis' show and go' Morgan, Joey 'shots on' Clapson and Eddie 'The baby bull' Cronin ran riot at scrum-time and were all over the pitch in the loose punching holes all afternoon.

Strong running, some massive hits and a brace of tries during his 60 min cameo from Dave Thornton earned him a well deserved MoM, though he will look back as much on the tries is missed out on as the ones he scored!

A special mention again this week to all our U21's Eric, Soo, Leon and Phil were excellent again and showed the future of the club is bright.

Also a welcome on debut for Will Johnson another U21 who had a great game off the bench.

A week off next week and then top V 3rd against Haileyburians on the 19th to look forward too where we hope to have all the big guns Available for selection (especially for the post match social)

The Strollers had a very young and well drilled Old Ruts 3rd XV to play against at home. The final score was 60-7 with the visitors claiming a well deserved victory - the scoreline not reflecting the effort put in by the home side. The strollers had an age range on Saturday of 40 years with the youngest players being 17 and the oldest being 57. Proof that social rugby is alive and well at Barham road - even if the scoreline was not one that was wanted. At times the old boys were down to 12 men through age and injury - but massive kudos to the U18s who turned up and are keen to dip their toes into the world of senior mens rugby. We hope this trend of blooding the young bucks with the old farts will continue long into the future - with the U21s being bloodied by the ........yes I'll call them it - the Mavericks.

The Ladies XV unfortunately had their game cancelled as their opposition were unable to field a side. However, their coach also had his first run out with the old lags on Saturday and we welcome him to the fold.

Final points to note - a massive congratulations to Head Coach Nick Evans who dominated the headlines in Quins win at the weekend with 14 points to his name in their 29-15 victory over a resurgent Exeter Chiefs side in the Anglo-Welsh cup.

And finally...... following recent "drinkgate" matters with regard to club physio Steve Garvey's recent engagement. He has said no-one needs to buy him a drink following Ireland's defeat of World Champions the All Blacks on Saturday - not even the Kiwis. In fairness he sounded slightly delirious and he may have even been wearing his Riverdance toe-tappers!
Congratulations to all our Irish members and bravo to the Kiwis who took the defeat in good grace.

Righty ho - enough from me

Have a great week everyone.

Big Love

Badger