Promotion to Midlands 2 West (North) was celebrated with the usual enthusiasm……..and then the realisation set in! Teams would be bigger, faster and harder with more playing resources then we could muster. The 1st XV playing at the highest level EVER was an achievement but staying there would be even more remarkable. Home league victories and away bonus points would be crucial.

Following a couple of pre-season friendlies, one an easy win and the other a crushing defeat, the North Midlands Cup match was a close encounter that resulted in a close away defeat. The initial league contest was an away match at Whitchurch RFC, who were eager to bounce straight back up, that proved to be a rude awakening with not a bonus point in sight. The National Cup match went the same way as the local one, a close encounter that resulted in a close away defeat 12-15 to Old Sillhillians RFC. With moral a little dented, the first home match was a little uncertain and again a narrow defeat, followed by another rude awakening at Kidderminster Carolians RFC. The opposition were poor, but we contrived to ‘snatch defeat from the jaws of victory’ with 2-missed penalty opportunities in the final couple of minutes and went down by 17-18. Rather than cower, the disappointment of narrow defeat spurred the team on to believe that they SHOULD be playing at this level! A home victory against Leek RFC (who were eventually to finish third in this Division) followed by a very good performance against Ludlow RFC, also struggling to adapt to life at this level, that ultimately finished in a narrow defeat 13-15. That ‘narrow defeat’ phrase was becoming a recurring theme! This was followed by another excellent home win over Newcastle RFC but a further three narrow defeats with bonus points before the Christmas break.

In the meantime, the Development XV managed 4-matches, with two resounding victories over Bromyard 2nd XV & Dudley Wasps 3rd XV, but two close defeats to Ludlow 2nd XV & Droitwich 2nd XV. To withstand the additional pressure at this level, training had been stepped up to twice per week, but continual injuries to key players drained meagre resources. This coupled with the wetter muddier grounds, negated a running game plan. So much so, that those 4-matches were the only occasions we managed a Development XV during the regular season.

In the period from just before Christmas until the middle of March 7-matches were played and a total of 64-points scored, while 259-points conceded. Snow days were avoided, some games were postponed, as Development XV players stepped up and the spirit remained positive and excellent. This included further defeats to local rivals Ludlow RFC and Kidderminster Carolians RFC who were a much-improved side. On the social side several events kept moral up and there was a Tour to look forward to at the end of the season.

After the dark mid-winter and the weather got better, so did the quality of play and a ‘siege mentality’ to dig in developed, so bonus points started to accumulate again. During the final 7-matches the thrashings at Walsall RFC & Old Saltlians RFC were avenged and at least when relegation was finally confirmed, we went down fighting.

Despite a difficult campaign with points hard to come by, the Top Points Scorer was Hayden Edwards (100-points with 4-tries, 16-conversions & 16-penalties). Top Try Scorer was Harry Parker (10) with Sid Gittins (5 & 4-conversions), Sam Bills (5) and Josh Winfield (4 & 1-conversion) & Tom Leach (4).

The Tour was an excellent ‘Club’ occasion, organised superbly by Mark Murphy to Cardiff and a Development XV match v Llanishen RFC on the Saturday with a 50-34 victory, which gave a nice positive end to the season. So on to the new season back in Midlands 3 West (North) when we will be on the lookout for more players and continue to hope to field a Development XV on more occasions this term.