May I start by thanking all that have represented Corsham RFC at any level this year, without you guys giving up your time on Saturdays and during the week for training, we would not of had what is "arguable" our best ever season !
Where to start! The season consisted of so many highs and lows.
After a good pre season with high numbers training and many new faces I thought we would hit the ground running, We came unstuck in our first game against Sherbourne, (revenge was to be had latter in the season) although we competed for most of the game we lacked the clinical finishing and decision making to see the game off. Pretty much the story for two-thirds of the season.
We managed to secure maximum points in our next two league games against Trowbridge and Blandford. Both were close games against teams who turned out to be our relegation rivals.
Although we started the season without Ben Russell and Ian McNerlin I thought we would have sufficient cover in the short term, little did I no that over the next three league games we would lose a further 5 first team regulars. So with half of our strongest side out for two months we struggled to make an impact in SCS. On that point I would like to thank all the players who stepped up from the 2nds especially the new players to the club, Gary Ings Paula Hilliman and Mat Hawley. Some of these players had not played rugby for a long time at any level so to be called on to play first team rugby at SCS was a huge step up.
With all the injuries before Christmas we failed to win another league game and at Christmas our record stood at P 12 W 2 D 0 L 10 F 122 A 350
With a disastrous 2005 out the way we started 2006 with two games in one weekend. The league game against Wooten Bassett and D&W Cup against Calne. With almost a full complement of players to select from confidence was high and this showed with performances on the pitch leading to victories in both games.
This was the catalyst for the rest of the season; we were starting to show signs of the team the previous year.
Although we were not able to maintain our top level for more than 30 mins in a game we were starting to compete against the stronger sides. With improved performances against Oldfield and Tadley compared to earlier in the season, in both games holding them for the first half an hour before secomming to clinical finishing, I could see that we were at last performing near to our best level.
With only 7 league games left we really needed to get some points.
We played the next game against Melksham and for the first half we were all over them, but only managed to score one try and should have finished the game. The 2nd half saw them come back into it and lead for a long period at 12-5, a try in the final 10 mins from Tim Russell enabled us to pull of a draw, but I can only feel that we through it away in the first half with poor decisions and finishing.
The reminding six games saw us beat sides in the top half of the table but lose against relegation rivals Trowbridge again due to poor decisions. With some awesome performances from the pack against Dorchester , Sherbourne and North Dorset, especially Ben Russell, Ian McNerlin and Rob Williamson, we managed to put ourselves in a position were if we won our last game of the season we would make Corsham history by managing to stay up on merit.
Our last game was against Frome, who the week earlier had secured the title, we went into this full of confidence and held our own for 70 minutes leading 3-0. Then a lost ball in attack meant Frome had a chance to clear and force us into our own half for a lineout, we subsequently lost the lineout and Frome spun it wide and scored meaning we had to attack from anywhere and everyway. This cavalier style lead to a mistake in the final minute which Frome capitalised on and scored again meaning we were down but not out!
A special mention must go to Ed Minty, Steve Bailey and Nick Denham who all played in every league game this season a marvellous achievement especially as two of these are front row players.
In between the final league games we managed to fit in a cup run which ended at the rec.
Starting by beating Trowbridge, revenge for the league result a few weeks earlier, we progressed to the semi only two days after the Frome game, against Somerset 2 side Old Edwardians. A last minute try from Craig Avent meant that we secured a draw and went through to the final on the away side rule.
The final was only three days later at the Rec against Old Sulians.
A try in the first five minutes from Ben Russell settled some nerves and meant we could start controlling the game; however some missed opportunities meant that we started after the break only 8-3 in the lead. The 2nd half saw some flowing rugby from forwards and backs which has not been seen by supporters at the Rec this year! A great move resulted in a 2nd try for Ben Russell and Tim Minty also crossed over which meant we had a twenty point lead. From this point on we were always in control and before the end we scored another great try (see photos) which meant the final score was 31-13.
With a taste of silverware from the last two seasons, I look forward to next year being part of the side that bounces back up to SCS by winning Dorset & Wilts 1 North. With several players retiring and moving on I believe under the tutelage of Scott Gilmor as coach, Haydn Brockhurst as Captain and Ben Russell as Vice-Captain we will develop into one of the better sides in the area. The average age on next years team is likely to be under 25, I know that I stand down as captain knowing we have t a side that will stay together for years to come.
