Gents, like last week, another tough result but a complete juxtaposition in every other way. The one thing we spoke about before the game was discipline and the treatment of the ref, and we got this absolutely spot on today. Our penalty count was low, and the points we did concede were through well drilled Steyning phase play and quick ball as opposed to individual errors or glaring mistakes.

The ref spoke to me specifically before the game about the reputation we have unfortunately started to develop as a “mouthy” team (his words not mine) and needless to say this will hold us back unless we change it. What was great was the fact that he made a pint of coming to speak to Smethurst and I afterwards and thanked us for our decorum and pleasantness, and said it was one of the more enjoyable games he has refereed in a long time. This will do us favours and he will be feeding that back to the refereeing fraternity.

The result didn’t go our way but we played with smiles on faces which is what this season is going to be all about. Congrats to steyning, the have been training since July and deserved their win. We however, deserved to walk off the pitch with our heads held high.

Special mentions to Andy Trevis for sitting down their big flanker, Jacob DM for being everywhere, Gordon Costick for putting in an unbelievable performance despite having to play most of the game at 10 due to injuries, and of course Lee Willis for his trademark annual box kick and being a worthy dick of the day.

I loved playing today lads, bring on Shoreham.

Tom