Captains Corner
2008-2009 End of Season Report, by Club Captain Mark McCraith
Well what a year its been!!!
And it has been pretty much a year, with preseason starting in July, the first team squad had little time to enjoy their summer when a new coach comes in and as players all running for the nearest gym and oat based cereal bars suppliers.
The boys developed quickly, with new players becoming key squad members almost over night, especially with some excellent team building in Wales. Running through mud with massive logs, which must have been hard for Rosie and Alder having their own logs to carry too, quickly bonds a team. So I must thank the club for providing this opportunity, and with some of the wins this year is clear to see these benefits of a close team spirit.
The season this year has been a long hard one like it always is, but without a whipped boy in the league, every game provided a new challenge for the team and coaches. Another thanks must go to Moley, for his video work providing a vital insight into our game plans and oppositions plays.
Well its fair to say we have had a lot of highs and a few lows this season but its important to realise that the highs have definitely out weighed the lows.
A quick mention of a couple of low points were two loses at home and away to Hertford and OA's and away performance to Sutton are a few defeats that will live with this team for a few season.
Enough of the lows, the highs have been great. Wins in the last kick of the games against Luton and Jersey, an impressive home record in front of some fantastic support, and not forgetting our Hertfordshire Cup win to avenge our loses in the league against OA's. Oh yeah in extra time.
From a players point of view, I can't stress the work the coaches have done from the team, working hard, not just on Tuesdays and Thursdays but most the week through preparation for training sessions and analysis of videos as I previously mentioned.
On the back of our coaching its been great to see players develop and improve. Seeing players with such raw ability at the start of the season, become quality 1st team members. Aaron Springham has grown into a real team player, a Stortford boy through and through, but the man of the match performance he turned in against Jersey away, ear marks him to be a first team member for many a year. Another Arran to mention is 'Mahoney'. He has shown time again the benefits for coming to training, and his ability to break away from guards in poor conditions was crucial in our away win to North Walsham with two sniping breaks and two try.
From a personal note, leading the team has been a real pleasure, though at times hard it's the team spirit and friendship we share that has helped us. Having experienced players like Rob Faires, Richie Mcmillan and Alex Colenso (when he wasn't taking his 10 mins break) helped us to some fantastic wins, and Alex's leadership and contribution in the final was 1st class.
Tommy C has proved time and again the value of having a great place kicker in the team. With stats that pushed towards the 80% mark for the entire season is nothing to be scoffed at, especially in some of the windy conditions he has faced. His ability to keep the score board ticking over, and the pressure it can relieve from the team with a kick to touch is invaluable. Before you start thinking he is just about kicker, his running game is pretty impressive, as too his defence, just ask the Barnes wing he short armed.
The very last task of the season was to compete in the Hertfordshire 7's, held at OA's, as often the case this happens to fall on the hottest day of the year. With a mixed squad of youth and 6 first team regulars we reached the final to face OA's. This was similar to the previous final, been tied at the final whistle, but this time OA's got this revenge and scored the golden point.
This season has been a great success, but its also the start of a special period with players maturing within the 1st and I can only see this team getting better with the coaching and commitment we have shown each other throughout the year. Thanks again for all the support we have received this season, and I hope you have enjoyed some of the results as must as the team has. We look follow to seeing you all next season.
Player of the Year - Tom Coleman
Players player - Tom Coleman
1st Team Most Improved - Aaron Springham
Under 21 Player of the Year - Aaron Mahoney
Captains Trophy - Peter Engledow
Mark McCraith, Club Captain
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