It could be argued that anyone who volunteers for roles in clubs or businesses is only doing it for some benefit to themselves. It could also be said that to succeed in sport you have to be selfish. And I've also heard tale tell of seasoned professionals saying you should never work with animals or children. Well, I've never succeeded in sport yet so I can't be selfish and I probably wouldn't be coaching if Harry didn't want to play. But I am curious as to whether you should work with animals if they turn out to be children. Recent training sessions would suggest that our porous defence may well be a thing of history from next season on. Some of the hits were big and technically sound, but the increased intensity turned out to be a drain physically. In fairness though, this should be expected. And our attacking play has always been beautiful to watch at times.
So the season to come looks bright, but what about the season we leave behind? Well, for me (and from the conversations we have had, Colin as well) we have had a really good season. I was gutted the lads didn't take anything from Macc, but that was only because they really deserved it. Over the season, every one of the lads has improved. Some have developed sidesteps, some have passed better while others have improved the quality of their communication. But what has pleased me most is their increased understanding of their roles within the team and how to play the game generally. OK, the defence needs a bit of work, but next year there are no tags to stretch for, just a body to get hold of (though the defensive line will still need some work (I'm getting all Bee Gees again)). But some of the attacking play shows the lads are developing an understanding of when to pass the ball and, just as importantly, how to hold/time their support run.
We have some cracking memories from this year, some of which were mentioned at the presentation day: Will's desire in defence, Liam's marauding try, great wins, exquisite free-flowing attacking play, Joe's outstanding team play and some gull pooing on my back! And of course Max's acknowledgement of good defence against Caldy. One that wasn't mentioned, and I apologise wholeheartedly, was Will Mac's textbook tackle against Wirral. Should go down in legend that! But for me, there has been one major plus point to this season - some of the lads have been at the club for 3-4 years now and have a decent understanding of the game. But others have come in this season and made themselves really important to the side. There have also been some really puzzling moments as well. How Dan wasn't pulled up by opposition coaches for blatantly pushing players off the pitch, how Joe can run near full belt and change direction so acutely without jarring his knees and how come Harry can play better when he wears his tracksuit troosers.
Ultimately, the idea is to have the team use contact as a tool to create the spaces we want to attack. To achieve that, we need to learn how to pass and receive the ball on the run and I would ask that everyone works on this over the summer. We also need to work on securing possession over the coming year both in attack and aggressive defence (counter rucking). One note of caution/expectation for next season though. On occasion this year, we have had matches that we really should have won and ended up drawing or even losing. In my humble opinion, it's not the taking part that counts, but the winning. That is why we play. We need to start getting into the mindset of doing anything we can to beat the teams we might beat and completely destroy and demoralise the teams we should beat. We need to shut teams out and next season there won't be 6 tackles and turn over. We will need to tackle hard (but fair), be aggressive (but controlled), and be desiring in action (but accepting that team is more important than self). If we do all this, then I cannot see any reason why next year won't be more successful that this. (we could do with some more players though)
I was asked whether I would be coaching the team next season. While appreciating the question, I won't do it without Colin and Adrian who have both been fantastic this year. Adrian's paperwork role is so important as this frees up a lot of time and that is important for me, but more so possibly for Colin as without that extra time, he wouldnt be able to write his superb match reports. As you can see from the items I have written, I'm not in the same league and anyone who disagrees can, in my view, get a grip. I must say though that Colin has been awesome throughout the season as well. His organising of the team on match day is excellent as is his coaching of the lads of the lads whenever I'm not there (a win against Caldy is nothing to sniff at).
In summary then:
It was great to see our new players come and fit in so well.
We had a cracking season with some outstanding attacking play.
We are all looking forward to the huge changes in the rules next season.
We could do with some more new players.
You all have homework over the summer: take and give the pass on both hands and over about 5 yards.
We will also need an extra pair of hands each week from now on. If anyone wants to help out on the coaching side, please feel free to help out.

Here's to next season.
UP THE ANNIES !!!!