After 18 difficult months, we finally had mens rugby back at Frant road and there was excitement in the air as players arrived at the club before the game. This was a feeling that has been sorely missed, and it is so great to have it back. During the pandemic, we had trained on and off aligned with government guidelines. Understandably, training without any competitive fixture insight is sometimes difficult for some. However it says a lot about the character from the players at SCRFC in that we have not only kept the vast majority of our playing squad engaged, we have also recruited well, adding key players in key positions. With many new players joining around a year ago, unbelievably this was the first opportunity for them to put on the famous SCRFC shirt. We have also had a change in coaching and team management, enabling us to take advantage of the solid foundation laid buy the previous leadership team.

After our initially scheduled opposition pulled out, we were indebted to Old Alleynians for putting together a scratch team with only a couple of days notice. The unknown quality of the opposition ensured that pre game preparations and warm up was carried out with focus and anticipation. Words before the game centred around individuals taking their opportunities in what is a clean slate for everyone at the club in preseason, and how enjoyment was so important after so long without rugby.

Although plenty of cobwebs that needed to be shaken off and things to work on, most of the play by SCRFC was a joy to watch. SCRFC were dominant in most areas of the pitch, with some beautiful expansive rugby orchestrated by new 10 Adam Sheehy in particular being key to our game going forward. When we needed to defend, we defended hard. There were lapses in concentration and discipline which will be stamped out, however this is understandable in our first game for over 18 months. With some exciting and easy on the eye play from SCRFC, and with things to work on, this could prove to be a very exciting season for the boys at Frant Road.

Big shoutouts to frontrows Colin Lynch, Charley Johns and Rolstone Langmead who played the full 80 (among a few others).

Try scorers were - A Sheehy, J Kelleway, I Campbell x2, L Gallagher, F Green

Man of the match - Pat Coffey. Great first game back for Pat who controlled the tempo of the game well at scrum half.
Dick of the day - Jack Hardwick. You can't drop the 1st XV captain in a lineout and get away with it. He also caught the ball on an opposition quick tap from a penalty which I have never seen before.