"Merit Table Division One Champions!” not a bad way with which to start an article as a rule, but a particularity good way if it happens to refer to Havant’s 3rd team. 

Towards the end of last season the winds of change were in the air; some good results and a positive attitude motivated the team to start training for the up and coming season in early July 02.   

Even with this additional effort, I don’t think anyone really expected the season to unravel itself in such a successful manner.  The preparation started with Wednesday nights becoming a habit; an average of 18 – 24 players were turning up regularly for training!  To compliment this, a couple of early friendlies were arranged.  The aim being to concentrate on the way we wanted to play our rugby rather than the result. 

Finally, it was time for the first league game, an away match against Romsey.  It soon became obvious that the time spent training and organising the team had given us a great advantage.  Romsey were under pressure to field 15 players, we on the other hand were there with a full compliment and a game plan.  The result was a good win for us and confirmation that things were going in the right direction.

The lead up to Christmas saw us undefeated in the league.  As every game came, and passed, the team grew in confidence; new players were coming into the team and training was going well.  The only real problem was the wet weather, which had caused us to cancel some of the league games.  If the league was to be decided on percentage it was important that these were rearranged and played at the earliest opportunity.

The New Year came and with it brought a top of the table clash.  Winchester had only lost one game so far ,and that was against us in a very close 9-6 defeat at home.  The scene was set; we were at Hooks Lane on the main pitch; the game was enthralling with both teams demonstrating why they deserved to be the top two teams in the table.  Finally Winchester came out on top and, to be honest, the better team had won on the day.  However it had been a fine Havant performance. Undeterred, it was now clear that the aim of the season was to push Winchester all the way.  One mistake and the title would be ours.

As the season drew to a close, it started to become apparent that Winchester were going to struggle to play all their fixtures and that this would impact on their percentage.  The dogged determination to play and win all our remaining league games was paying off. 

The final league game of the season was to be at Farnborough; a very strong team whose performance had been improving steadily.  On an unusually hot day, 16 players travelled to Farnborough to face a strong and committed outfit.  The size and strength of their pack dominated the game and they won through to clinch the game.Surely we had finished second in the league. We had a few beers, the revelling in our success tempered by the disappointment of not quite achieving the ultimate goal.

No one would believe that Winchester stood a chance of losing against an up and coming Sandown and Shanklin team, until a perusal of the Sandown and Shanklin web page caught the attention of one of the players, 'could it be true they had beaten Winchester'.  The result of this was to place us back on top of the league based on having the highest percentage overall.  Success!!!

Focus then moved to the tour, a weekend in Glastonbury visiting the historic Market Place an extremely well healed establishment that catered to the needs of distinguished gentleman.  It afforded us the opportunity to spread peace and good will across the land and play a couple of games of Rugby.  A decision was made based on the high turnout of players that the season’s award ceremony would be incorporated into the event.  Nominations were put forward to identify the players who deserved specific recognition for their commitment and performance throughout the season.  The following awards were presented:

Player of the Season                Jonathan Nation

Most Improved Player               Dave King

Players Player                         Darren Kingham-Scott

A thoroughly good time was had by all, congratulations to all the prize-winners and a vote of thanks to Jonathan Nation for organising such a successful trip.

So we now look forward to next season.  There are changes a-foot, but, no matter what happens, there is a committed group of players who are proud to be part of Havant RFC.  In order for us to enjoy our success this season over 50 people gave up their time and energy to play, the same will obviously be true next season.  So if you are reading this and contemplating purchasing new or dusting off old boots for next year then please come and join us.  All levels of skill and experience can be catered for within the club.

On a personal note as captain and coach I have received fantastic support from the team as a whole, but, additionally, I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Keith (Bear) Spraggs and Dave Owen for their advice and assistance with the coaching.  Justin Harrison and Jonny Nation for coordinating the backs and Darren Kingham-Scott and Paul Redman for rounding up the forwards.

Finally, it is appropriate that I say a public thank you on behalf of the team to all those important people within the club who make the act of playing Rugby possible.  The management and support organisation is tremendous and the roles and responsibilities that you carry out are recognised and appreciated.   

The new season will bring new challenges and I look forward with great enthusiasm to playing my part in facing them.

Mark Hayler

Captain/Coach

HAVANT 3RDS

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