Last weekend’s beautiful autumnal weather made for a very busy few days at our home at Hazelwood. During this time the pitches were well and truly put through their paces as literally dozens of both adult and youth players got stuck in to enjoying the game of rugby football. Whilst large numbers of parents and supporters watched from the sidelines. Over the two days the place was really rocking especially on Saturday afternoon as Lorraine O’Reilly belted out a lot of great music to the packed clubroom.

Beforehand the Wild Geese hosted Windsor RFC and our second team the Wanderers turned out against Weybridge Vandals. It was great to see two adult sides taking to the field and bodes well for the Club’s ambitious plans for the future. Sadly Windsor proved to much for us and we went down 26-17 whilst the Wanderers fared better and recorded a victory winning 36-32.

On Sunday the age grade teams took centre stage in the morning making lots of use of the green grass Hazelwood. It was fascinating to see the young stars of the future take their first steps on their rugby careers as they swelled the ranks of the mini youth section. It was great to welcome a very large number (50+) of new parents and their 6 year olds to the Club. Moving around the pitches it was interesting to see all the other age groups busily engaging in learning the ins and outs of rugby football. One highlight for me was seeing the teenage girls at full pelt. There is now little doubt that the women’s game in on a high growth trajectory and it is great to see London Irish playing its part.

Whilst all this training was underway the Colts team prepared to take on Chobham in the afternoon. It was a very entertaining game but Chobham’s power game enabled them to win 36-17. I wonder how many of these young men will join the ranks of the Wild Geese in years to come?

The highlight of our Sunday was, however watching the Emeralds trounce Exeter Athletic Dakota women 38-15. Ken Dowding their head coach summed it up by saying;- ‘it was really good to see players taking their chances’ As further evidence of the growth of the women’s game it was great to see the support on the sideline as the Emeralds piled on the points in what was a very thrilling game of rugby.

Leaving Hazelwood as the sun set on Sunday afternoon I couldn’t help but think there is no better place to be…