17 September 2003 After the First Fixture against Camberley

Post Tenebras Lux

Joyous greetings to all!

At last I am returned to my pasture after a lengthy summer sabbatical amongst the great unwashed. May I take the opportunity to welcome back both the old and the new in our flock as I'm sure you'll all agree, its great to be enjoying each others company again.

Thankfully it seems I am not the only pilgrim of the Grail re-invigorated with Spirit and energised of limb after the long break. It has given me tremendous pleasure to witness the generous growth in mind, body and soul within our Parish since our darkest hour in the final chapter of 2002/3: a testament to the character, collective will and effort of everybody involved throughout what was rumoured to be a particularly committed pre-season. Indeed, the new chapter may have only just been opened, but we have set the ship on course to exorcise the ghost of unkindly misfortune that haunted us last year (a mantle which has it seems, now been unenviably picked up by our friends from North Hampshire...we of course wish them well in their endeavour)

If the opening salvo of the game against our rivals from Camberley was anything to go by, we have a great deal to look forward to this season.

Strong Deliverer, Be for ever our strength and shield!!

POST TENEBRAS LUX
(After Darkness, Light Shall Come)

The Reverend

7 October 2003 - After the away defeat at Canterbury

The Summoner's Tale

Erring on the side of caution, I felt it wise to refrain from waxing lyrical about our emphatic humbling of Worthing in last weeks sermon. The laws of gravity which govern most things in our glorious game (perhaps with the gracious exception of the Reverend Ian Davies ego) have simply proven false-positive again: the higher the lamb climbs the mountain, the further there is to fall. The path to glory is narrow, rocky and beset with danger. It presents an extreme test of patience and faith. A wise investor of my time, I no less feel something of a moral epiphany in my abstention! To the faithful few that remain interested in this saintly corner of the Parish, the Summoner's tale of our Canterbury misadventure can be taken from Dylan Thomas ode to the foolhardy nature of youth:

The force that through the green fuse drives the flower
Drives my green age; that blasts the roots of trees
Is my destroyer.
And I am dumb to tell the crooked rose
My youth is bent by the same wintry fever

14 October 2003 - After the away win in the cup at Romford

A Bag Full of Butterflies

Salve! End to end excitement, a game on tenterhooks!

There's something to be said for the vicissitudes of London 1 in capturing the nerves of the crowd like a bagful of butterflies. From my humble perspective the nature of the beast in this league seems twice removed from National 3. There's an altogether rougher, looser, edgier feel to these encounters. Perhaps its down to the absence of judicial Linesman? Maybe without teams adhering to structure there's more space? Perhaps the absence of players with excessive bulk has ridden this league of one dimensional predictability..? I'm certain I will find some argument here, but although the physicality of National 3 was more direct and the contact points more definite, from the perspective of the Hooks Lane Faithful this brand of rugby we are witnessing is no less worthy! (Or is this just the outcome of the current fast-track playing surface gifted by a prolonged Indian summer?) Ad infinitum: God Bless the talented footwork of Neil McGovern, returning from his sabbatical to strengthen the back-line. Many Thanks Neil, it meant a lot to us!

I do hope you'll find this sermon worthy of comment!

28 October 2003 - After the 73-36 away win at Staines

The Tragedy of Staines

In reviewing last weekend's encounter my emotions are mixed. What should have been one of the most celebrated victories in our humble history ended somewhat pyrrhically. I refer to the shameful way in which the total rugby on display in the first half was marred in the second by Staines; who having felt the game had gone beyond their reach resorted to the type of thuggery practised only by the lugubrious South African XV. As sideline disciples of the game we all recognise that in the heat of an encounter tempers can fray and impetuosity reign; but the misplaced sense of pride that drives players to one cheap-shot after another behind the Referees back is quite frankly, gutless and lacking of character. It hasn't happened to our boys yet, but if they ever found them selves on the wrong side of a 70 point drubbing I sincerely like to think they would fight the good fight in which rugby is the winner. I am not alone in the opinion that the use of this outdated tactic by a team in this league is ill advised, discredits and damages the noble game. Perhaps sheltered from the world by my gentle Parish I might be, but until last Saturday I was comfortable in the belief that Hooliganism was part of a different game entirely. We did well to rise above it.

Perfer et Obdura {Be patient and tough}

14 November 2003 - After the away defeat at Bishop's Stortford

Concordia res parvae crescent!

Virulent postings the lot! Lets not get the whole thing out of perspective and pretend that we thought the league would be any different. Its a good ol'fashioned hard English grafters League this one; the injury list speaks for itself. The important thing is to do the best we can with the opportunities we are given. That means all the troopers in the Dolphins have to keep their skills sharp because sooner or later they'll be in the breach and I don't want anybody to get it wrong. You only have to look at Grant's performances to see the only thing separating our players is opportunity. He's cutting it: massive respect. My advice: Learn the plays, get to training twice a week, do everything within your power to deliver the dream.

3 December 2003 - After the home defeat against Hertford

Refueling

It seems that we are still in shock, the club is empty and the message board quiet. My sermon to yee is "Do not lose faith!". There are important games ahead and we need to put our set backs into perspective. From time to time everyone has a Barry (Crocker = shocker), a 'western' (Supermare= nightmare) so who are you to think we're an exception. Take it on the chin and move on. We have played worse and won, we will play better and lose again. The important thing is to do our best with the games we have left. A fine and inspiring quote I would like to share with you all came from our good friend Reverend Hart in Tuesday night's selection:

"The battle is not over. We are simply refilling our Spitfires"

Close your eyes and smell the aviation fuel.

Look out Thanet. We are seeking 2 points.

18 December 2003 - After the Cup win away at Ruislip

Havant are coming up the hill

Psychology is everything in this game. The mentality required to perform under pressure, with backs to the wall or against superior opponents is one of obdurate determination to succeed. This will not happen without belief and it is unlikely that you will believe unless you have first seen. Before Roger Bannister broke the four minute mile in 1954 nobody in the world thought it physiologically possible. Its no surprise to me that in the year following his record, 3 other successful attempts were made with the confidence of knowing that it could be done. It is quite simple: without belief there can be no confidence to achieve, no determination to deliver. Setting the standard is what sport is all about and I emphatically believe we have laid down a marker with our last two wins, which although very different games by nature, both showed control, confidence and hunger. We now find ourselves balanced at a precipice: we know what we are capable of, but whether we are brave enough to grasp our opportunities or whether we will softly accept second best and look outwardly for excuses is down to the mental resolve of every player. With the League, the Intermediate Cup and the County Cup ahead of us there is a lot of opportunity to achieve individually, to go forward as team and set new standards to be the very best we can be.

Havant, are coming up the hill.

21 January 2004 - After the away win in the cup at Romford

Let us take a lesson from that spirited bastion of Essex grit and determination called Romford & Gidea Park RFC. They may not have the best Choral Harmony in that particularly quaint suburb of London, but in terms of their ability to turn the form book on its head with nigh Giant Killing zeal, they have proven again the zeitgeist of Cup sport. I’ve preached this sermon before but I’ll mount the pulpit again because it gives me Holy wood to share my passion for fighting the good fight. Cup sport differs from League sport in every manifestation of mind and spirit. Although Kenny Miller’s winner for Wolves against Man U was in actuality the football league, it imbued the same sprit of David V’s Goliath as any FA cup 5th round. I wouldn’t dream of paralleling our status at HRFC with that of Man U (we are considerably better looking) but in its essence, Wolves’ win mirrors the spirit of GeeeDaya Park. Full credit to them: they harried, hacked and heroically absorbed our pressure, killed the ball, came in from the side and collapsed mauls. The only thing they failed to do was construct a phase, living off scraps and scoring two break-away tries. To wax technical, our early mistakes in forcing the ball wide before it was ready and our failure to take advantage of scoring opportunities after having won so much possession in the first half rightfully gave Romford’s likeliest more than reason to believe we were beatable. Perhaps it wasn’t the best game to bring Liam back from injury, perhaps with Wes out wide we thought we could break all the rules of phase play and just wing it? Perhaps we assumed we could carry the ball that little bit further against weaker opponents? Whatever false pretence we were under, it was evident to the throng of white Stiletto wearing ladies in the crowd that this was the wrong approach and at 12-3 after the restart we appeared dead and buried. Finding no justice in their hysteria I reached for my prayer book. Fearing I had failed to be as reverent of late as I have previously been, I didn’t expect such a hasty response. As the darkness swept in along came David Myfanwy Jones, replacing his namesake Owen Tudor Myfanwy in the midfield who had suffered a broken foot. A bolt from the blue? Manna from heaven? If nobody thought that R & G would show this kind of resistance, then certainly nobody counted on the blinding form of our most senior player. Returning from over the hill to lead us back up it with some vintage footwork and busting runs it was bloody, messy and gritty: an encounter of physicality we do not often see. At 15-12 the beast was finally put to rest. Fortunately the hospitality in the bar matched the hostilities on the field and with a healthy dose of ol'black we could at last enjoy the feeling that can only come from having earned victory. Cup spirit lives on.

3 February 2004 - After the away win at Old Albanians

It is joyous indeed to find freely flowing debate on my ‘Epistle to the Havantians: On Cup Spirit’ (appreciation to webmaster for paraphrasing so excellently) Some commendable commentary from Quinn, Cookie and Master Springer looks to be heating the embers of the forum – and long may it continue!

On our communal last Saturday, perhaps ‘Baptism of Immersion’ would aptly summarise (or bloody good punch up – c/o Jerry). With howling gale blowing the length of the field there was no room at the Inn for weak of will. A fortuitous win of the toss and subsequent decision to take the elements head on was both brave and yielding of dividends late into the game as the tired Albanians failed to breach the wind assisted Havantians, who finished the more expedient.
From the outset, the Referees’ decision to loosely refer to the OA’s as ‘Red’ had in no way intended to symbolise the amount of OA claret spilt in three encounters between two teams polarised by both the promise of promotion and fear of relegation. A touch of irony perhaps then that Havant should be referred to as ‘White’, given our refusal to throw the towel in whilst resolutely proclaiming “We shall not be intimidated” by a side more suited to bare knuckle boxing. For a team of Academy Starlets, we’re certainly no choirboys. On style, it seems we are beginning to see the fruits of our focus on pattern. The erudite faithful that regularly attend both home and away fixtures are beginning to recognise the sequences that run from certain parts of the field; although it is fair to comment that when poorly executed our frustration is immeasurable! Players themselves will realise that it is no coincidence of chance that when these phase-plays are correctly adhered to, we always return to the half-way line with 5 trinkets in the collection bowl. So why should the humble flock not expect this epiphany every time we are awarded a scrum or lineout within striking distance? After all, the defences we face can only react within a limited remit off such mechanisms and few have our pace in attack – so why do we still fail to score the easy tries? The 2 on 1’s? The blind side holes? The answers, I’m sure, will be forthcoming. It appears that we have had some fortune in finding the players to run this show and are beginning to pull clear of the transitional period of personnel and style; but in order to go forward up the hill we must keep feeding our winning habit. We must be ferocious and resolute in our determination to succeed at the goals we have set for ourselves, raising the bar of performance each time we take to the field. We are at sudden death and there can be no backward steps. Creating a prison for ourselves in order to breakout of it late into the second half will always make for an epic tale of struggle and glory, but it wearies the limbs and nerves. Let’s edify the Havant colours and deliver a performance worthy of exultation!!

So be the sermon.

10 February 2004 - After the cup game against Altrincham Kersal

The quarter final was excellent for the club but it should now be consigned to a proud history. We all want to feel like we did on Saturday each time we play – the occasion, the crowd, the build up and the satisfaction of doing the job properly: it’s what we live for as players. It’s now up to us to keep it going forward and deliver on promises. To arrive safely at a point where we can even consider being in with a chance for the promotional push we have to get to the Sunday 22nd February 'quinquagisima' (the fifth Sunday 'afore Easter) unbeaten:

Here are some dates worth pondering my fearless brothers. If the prospect of these challenges doesn’t get you motivated, we’re singing from different hymn sheets!

The February Brace:
1) Saturday 14th V’s Canterbury (H)
2) Saturday 21st V’s Worthing (A)

We prepare lightly for these at our peril! On form both these teams have the ability to beat anyone in the league. If we make it past them the true battle for promotion will then begin in March and finish on May 1st.

The March Triple:
1) Saturday 13th V’s Sutton & Epsom (A)
2) Saturday 20th Powergen Semi V Bradford (A)
3) Sunday 28th Hants Cup Final (H)

The quadruple homeward run:
1) Saturday 17th Powergen Cup Final
2) Saturday 23rd V’s Sutton & Epsom (H)
3) Saturday 1st May V’s Hertford (A)
4) Saturday 8th May London 1 Play-off
* Note that these may not be exact dates, as re-arranged league games will work around the Cup

I fancy our chances as nobody in our squad is naïve enough to believe that these nine ‘Big’ games will involve the same 15 players. We will only make it through to the other side as a squad. Quite simply this is the toughest challenge ever faced by us Havantians so I urge you to keep your form and fitness as it will take everyman standing to make it to the end of the journey with all our objectives achieved and the Gold safely tucked away in the war chest.

As the hill begins to get steeper, let’s get a little tighter.

17 February 2004 - After the home win against Canterbury

The forum seems to have been divorced of its substance lately, so in timely fashion here follows my epistle to the Havantians after Match 1 of the homeward trail. After a weekend in which none of the favourites had an easy passage, its time to talk sense. When the London 1 Ledger is reviewed by the auditors at end of season 2003/2004, the match will be memorable for only two things: the result and the masterful performance of Syd Claffey. The faithful can quaff their pints and bray to their heart’s content about the contrast between the previous week’s ‘red letter day’ and the shortcomings of the second half, but let us not forget that in Canterbury we opposed a quality challenge. For anyone with an eye for detail they came with the Sword Of Damocles hanging over their heads – the prospect of losing to a rival contender a fearful spectre that would, in effect, signify a nail in the coffin of mid-table ignominy. In deed this was Canterbury’s D-Day. As Pilgrims of the trail we can appreciate their position as we’ve gallantly been fire-fighting without a safety net since November in both league and cup and from this legacy of pressure, have formed a cohesive unit most evident in times of hardship. This transpired on Saturday, as when it came to the fatal inch we were simply the better team and that, dear brethren, is why we won. You may recollect the reverse fixture back in October where we were forced to fly without radar or homing beacon in the absence, amongst others of Allica and Claffey - the end result being a game lacking of any shape that lead to our first defeat of the season. In Canterbury’s second half resurgence I proffer that any team with enough self pride can play “Catch-up”: playing off the counter-attack and taking chances when there is nothing left to lose as the cupboard is bare. After all, this is a desperate approach that we oft adopted in our own demise of last season. The key point is that this is Risk Rugby and doesn’t yield consistency in results. We have come a long way since those times and are starting to realise the power of the measured strategy in possession, position and ultimately points. So much so, that when it came to the controlling fundamentals of the scrum, the lineout and in the tacit awareness and deft touch of playmaker Claffey’s boot, we had Canterbury locked down from the outset. In these key elements of conflict oft overlooked by the trusty match scribe, Allica and Ingram were a sensation, as were Whittle and Morgan in the disruption of any quality ball the Canterbury Lineout tried to produce. The shame will irk forever that it could have been the most complete performance of the season were it not for a string of sloppy mistakes that let Pratt, a player of exceptional physical ability, execute his chances for a well taken brace. He was however not to steal the script as ultimately it was Claffey’s day: signed, sealed and delivered home with a bench mark performance that showed the chasm in class between himself and the lack-lustre Pilcher who had clearly taken too many hits from the Havant back-row. 1 down, 8 to go on the homeward trail.
Amen.

(Post-script: If Pratt is ever likely to relocate in a southerly direction I would welcome him to the opportunity of scoring yet more tries on our hollowed turf….an invitation which would, given the amount of quality ball that our forward’s produce, undoubtedly whet his appetite….).

23 February 2004 - After the away win at Worthing

With puffy eyes The Reverend Ian Davies of Worthing viewed the scoreboard last Saturday as it clocked 30-10 before time was marked in favour of his alma mater, Havant RFC. It was a look entirely manifested with miserable realisation that his Worthing had failed to achieve a benchmark victory against the club he duped as “Slipping into obscurity” earlier in the rugby calendar. For Havantians there could be no better closure than this and with an aggregate of 80 points drawn from two encounters including 12 tries, the first ‘league double’ in the history of our clubs was complete. To give credit where it is due, the Worthing boys had battled admirably in London 1of late, claiming the scalps of Canterbury and Sutton within a string of notable performances that could, Reverend Davies willing, have had them in the hunt for a top 4 finish. After Saturday’s lesson in the controlling fundamentals of Lineout, scrum and continuity, that prospect has now disappeared south of the mid-table border with a fair swallowing of pride.

What must now irk the permanently disaffected scowl of Reverend Davies is the harsh reality that a strong league finish was valued less than a local derby; that short term one-off’s against Hayward’s Heath and Havant were worth more than long-term legacy? For all the PR puff about ‘blooding late-developers’, rolling over infront of Canterbury in the midweek re-match indicated to all who cared that the white towel had been thrown-in via a peculiar quirk of management. I can only sympathise with his flock of players who deserve more than this kind of disappointment. I only hope they manage to carry off the Sussex title – as pyhric in status as Basingstoke’s clasp of the Hants Cup, but kudos for the Chairman none the less. I might remind you that the league, gentlemen, is everything.

Onto the role of honour: a superb game was played at the front of the lineout by Master Whittle, who demonstrated a sixth sense in his instinctive pilfering of any Worthing 2 ball. My pocket abacus became stuck after an impressive quintet were taken against the head, resulting in some controlled mauling which frog-marched the Worthing pack back towards their own line throughout the first half. The same can be said of scrummaging where a superior foundation was once more laid by Conlon and Ingram enabling the perpetual motion of Morgan to tear some gaping holes – you will no doubt concur that the young Medicine Man has become quite a handful going forward, a talent also shared by the high striding Charlie Corker. The only disappointing feature of this game was the schoolboy level of ball presentation, which when coupled with the Referee’s love of the tackle ball rule, resulted in the issue of ‘team yellows’ for both sides. Quite simply this ********* must be dealt with as it abruptly ruins the flow of some wonderful phases.

In closing there is much to be taken from our efforts in getting this far, although the homeward trail has only just begun. We are fire-fighting without lifeline and the battle for point’s difference is now crucial. A resurgent Camberley who defeated Thanet and nigh toppled Sutton in the last fortnight is a game far too important to be deemed a ‘formality’. Are we good enough, hungry enough and willing enough to make the sacrifices that it will take to decide the title come April 24th?

I’m sure the answers will be forthcoming….

2 March 2004 - After the home win against Camberley

My Dear Havantians, I trust you are all well. As I enjoy the vista from my Parish window on this magnificent March morning my heart fills with joyous enthusiasm for the road ahead. After a winter of fearsome struggle we are now set to enjoy the reinvigoration of spring and hopefully, according to the gospel of our evangelical performance of the weekend passed, will continue our success forthwith. It is now becoming clear that whilst we have managed to maintain a steady hand on the rudder of good ship Havana through troubled waters, it would seem our brethren at Camberley have sunken into the whirlpool of directionless introspection. In my efforts to maintain the quality of my diction, I usually disdain the use of cliché but the begging question is ‘did they jump or were they pushed..?’ Having studied their disciplined and focused warm up from the comfort of the Pulpit, I had expected more from a team that had toppled Thanet and stretched Sutton in a fortnight of rugby which lit the beacon of revival. Indeed the first half was by no means a one sided contest. The Squirrels created several opportunities after breaking our defensive line, and although they lacked the wherewithal to finish were troublesome throughout the opening 45 minutes in the direct approach of their Fijian back-row and robust midfield. It would be unfair to criticise Havant In the opening salvo for simple mistakes as with changes to key personnel time was required to fully gel. However, errors of stupidity aside, the pack produced enough possession in good positions (including some spectacular 30m driven mauls...a superb sight to see such critical mass on the hoof) to produce daylight on the scoreboard. As we are now beginning to recognise from the pews; the first try was a well constructed effort from a strike move which opened up the midfield like the Red Sea. Moses, or Davy Jones as we like to call him (look for the grey beard, socks, sandals and goats - a dead giveaway), was first to touch down and did not forget in his jubilation to congratulate the aerial skills of Morgan and the running of whittle and Conlon in conspiring to cast the first stone. Graciousness indeed. It is worthy of note that whilst the game remained a contest, two players in particular stood out; endlessly covering, foraging and carrying in times of need. Steve 'Crudders' was superb in his efforts to maintain our continuity and his reaction to the tidying of any loose scraps was impressively nimble (– an echo of his appearance at 7 against Rosslyn Park 1 year ago to the day? The future beckons..) Second was Dylan Rubenheimer: like Lazarus returning for a swag-bag full of tries, what impressed the cognoscenti of the flock more was his perpetual work rate. It appears that a fitter, hungrier player has emerged from the boggy mists of injury that has held him captive for nearly 2 years and perhaps, just maybe, we will see him recapture his permanent place in the side? On this showing I certainly wouldn’t bet the Parish’s collection box against it. I will refrain from comment on the second half other than to say that Petzer and Cooper terrorized the open landscape with some finely taken lines off Syd, who impressed again by keeping structure in a game who’s score line more closely resembled 20/20 cricket. The result leaves Camberley’s revival in tatters and their beacon firmly extinguished in the fair sums of ale from the Sponsors pre-match meal. The real challenge now lies imminently before us: the back to back test matches against Sutton and Epsom. Ahhhh the thought of it gives me Holy wood.

Men of Havant, its time to refuel those Spitfires and free the skies...

12 March 2004 - After the loss at Andover in the Hampshire Cup

In truth the rugby of the last weekend has left my thought processes short of literary breath.

On the one side of the ledger we were delighted to witness an unexpectedly purple performance which saw a 1st XV oozing confidence demolish their opponents in the battle for the London 1 play-off spot. Yet on the very next day the faithful that made the trip to watch the Hampshire semi-final at Andover were left reeling and maybe wished that they hadn’t have bothered. Perhaps it was the last minute changes to the line up? Perhaps it was the knowledge that had we have qualified for the final, the Hampshire alicadoos had shown remarkably agile foresight in booking the game for 12 noon the very day after the Intermediate Cup semi-final in Yorkshire?! In admiration for the excellent commitment shown by Petzer, Robertson, Cooper, Butterworth and Whittle in pulling their boots on for the second game in as many days, I will not accept that the team was under strength. Rather that there was naivety in the approach to a game that would still have given our second XV a decent run out in testing themselves against Basingstoke. In truth the display was indifferent, not through want of trying but through lack of any control and applied know-how at key moments. I will accept that rusty players were not match fit (due to the void of 2nd team fixtures) and in the absence of a ‘team of three’ Andover were allowed to employ the blacker arts; but that in itself is part of the greatness of Rugby in the myriad forms in which it can be played (How else could Ireland have beaten England - surely not through winging it Fijian style?) Andover were wise and pragmatic and deserving of their win. Without leadership we were pattern-less and execution was poor. The exercise was only useful in as much as it was an acid test of commitment which showed to the Cognoscenti which players truly bleed blue, red and white – an important factor in consideration for selection of the ‘glamour games’ ahead. I will conclude of Sunday’s game that rugby in its purest form is a thinking man’s stratagem dependent on individual discipline, team work and execution of manoeuvres. Break this trinity at you peril.

The weekly sermon ends

15 March 2004 - After the loss at Sutton & Epsom

Let’s put last weekend’s misadventure behind us. It was a shock for everybody: we were off colour and out of sorts and as captain I personally take responsibility for it. We set our standards and expectations highly so it follows that when disappointment comes it cuts to the bone. Suffice to say that it’s not over so let’s not get things out of perspective. We have 3 league games left and we didn’t get to be second in the league at this stage of the season by having a weak underbelly. I am confident that this set back will be used positively, that we will bounce back on track and that we will stamp our name on the play-off spot. We’ve come too far together to let complacency be anything other than a blip and whilst we are still in control of our league destiny, will set about our business with determination and authority.

18 March 2004 - Message from Peru!

Even a lengthy flight to the missionary outpost of Iguazu (for the Leigh Parkers - especially you Breadbeater - its pronounced "Wazu" - thought you'd appreciate that I'm staying in a place that shares the same name as your filthy habit!) could not stop me getting to a cyber cafe so you'll no doubt be delighted in my efforts to get the weekly sermon across. Whilst you are all out in the cold adding the final touches to the all important preparation, I've put in my own hard yards and urge all our brave compañeros to hold hard to what is dear. Think of how far we've come and what it means to all of us. Now close your eyes and imagine a scenario in which we finish empty handed. Nothing to show for all the honest endeavour. The line between success and failure can be painfully thin so lets go the extra inch to make it happen at every carry, ruck, maul, scrum and tackle. You, me and the big fella know how those inches add up....

I miss you all and look forward to our re-aquaintance.

31 March 2004 - After the Bradford & Bingley Match

Primus Inter Pares ( First Among Equals) An Epic Adventure

What a weekend! There could be no better experience on our journey of regeneration than this Northern exposure and although the result may not have gone our way, there was much to celebrate as travelling committee men, Mariners and faithful were magnificent to a man. In Bradford and Bingley RFC we found an opponent to mirror our ability and to benchmark our strengths and weaknesses. The match itself was played at a ferocious pace which left even spectators breathless and given the amount of negative rugby we’ve encountered in London 1 this season, it was a pleasure to compete against a team who’s key objective was the scoring of tries. From the game we can perhaps argue the case for 15 extra points from missed opportunities, kicks at goal and indifferent refereeing at scrums but there can be no excuses; The Bees were the better side. What we can take from our performance is the confidence that within 10 minutes from the break we were drawn even against a club boasting a weekly fixed wage bill of £3000 (not including win bonuses and expenses - or indeed Geoff Cooke’s salary!!). This certainly puts our achievement against a side destined for National 1 into perspective. However, to simply depict them as mercenary professionals does not do them the justice they deserve. The Bees were worth every penny of their loyal sponsors’ investment, yet more importantly were gracious in victory and respectful of the way we played our rugby, giving us the accolade of ‘best opponents ever’ – a worthy mantle if ever I heard one – given their proximity to other Northern Roogby Union heavyweights! Of those lucky enough to make the field It would be unfair to mention any names in dispatches as every player hit their limit; but some memorable moments were Syd’s plumbly taken drop goal and Nick Cooper’s try – a touch of class if ever I saw one. Its seems from the returning war stories that the post match hospitality was superb and will now become part of Havant legend for which thanks should be given to the Bees. Above everything else their spirit and hospitality is testament to amateur ethos of their rugby culture which transcended the professional structure of which they so proudly possess. For a team building weekend away there could be nothing better and we hope to be invited back for a pre-season encounter. In summary of our adventure we travelled, trained and played as a cohesive unit and everybody including the coaches, managers and physio should have no regrets. We all played with our hearts on our sleeves and should be proud. The key will now be to take this forward to regain National League status.

Amen.

14 April 2004 - Before the Play-Off against Hertford

The Final Push

So here we stand on the precipice, staring into the abyss. Will our dreams be fulfilled at 4.30pm on Saturday or will we have to wait another week? In truth there could be no greater finale, no more extreme challenge of our ability. The two best performing teams in the league: winner takes all for king of the hill...A climb we know so well.

Are we ready for this? Is our body language right? Are we prepared to go the extra inch and sacrifice ourselves for the ultimate goal? I believe the answer is a resounding YES. Well take them on in every department and there will be no place for them to hide. Come Saturday the journey that we have begun must end. One last push for the top of the hill.

18 May 2004 - End of Season Reflection

AD INVENIUM VIAM AUT FACIAM - we will find a way or make one

And so the curtain falls on this great Act. So speechless have I been in reflection of our deeds that for the first time in a quite a while, the power of words has failed me. On many a rant this season have I chaffed and exulted; cursing the derisory yet exemplified the worthy. Now the slide rule has been put across the bottom line of the ledger and as the final whistle of London 1 quickly fades to memory, the time has come to deliver the ultimate sermon.

Havantians to a man, we have come to the top of the hill and the view from here is marvellous. Together we have achieved our goal and erased the hurt of last season’s demise. There could be no more complete an experience in any player’s career than this reversal, our spiritual epiphany. For our resurgence appreciation is due and has been given, to reward the notable achievements of Mat Morgan, Syd Claffey, Stuart Ingram, Steve Borthwick , Grant Morris and Giles Healey amongst the legion of unsung heroes. In the heart of darkness, when all appeared to be lost in peril, these characters burned the brightest and kept us from ruination on the rocks of indifference. Thank you for your faith.

In the beginning it took a while to gel. There had, after all, been notable changes to the fabric of the squad in the inter season transition: losing Jacko, Shorty and Duffers the least of our problems as we gained Butters, Angry Ingram and Doc Morgan to contend with. The success of Liam and Neil McGovern in selection for the Sequin’s Academy was conversely our loss as well - both young players had shown their talent whilst earning their spurs in National 3 South and it has been a pleasure to now benefit from their education. So indeed the early days were unstable as all comers lined up in the prize fighting ring of London 1 to have a crack at the fallen heavyweight. In truth we have great fortune in possessing a squad of players that enjoy the pressures of a competitive environment, where competition has driven selection and where honesty has delivered performance, for we would be nothing without them. League rugby is all about percentages, having the mental steel to perform as a team consistently well over the long run. It is a marathon test of endurance and faith, for maintaining the winning record week in, week out, despite setbacks of injury and unavailability is no mean feat. The total disaster of the Dolphin’s fixture list could, in this respect, have severely impeded the supply of battle hardened players into the ranks of the 1stXV. It is testament to the commitment of our fringe players; who continued the Tuesday/Thursday night slog without the promise of games that the 1st XV could so effectively take the club to the top of the hill. Never forget that it is the commitment of these players in learning the game plan and pushing for selection that makes the privilege of wearing the blue and white jersey all the more honourable as it has to be earned to be appreciated. An excellent state of affairs if there has ever been a guiding principal on successful rugby culture. Perhaps its time I wrote a book? Answers I’m sure will be forthcoming…watch this space.

So exactly where do we go now from this fabulous production? Exit stage left and head for the war room, for it is time to prepare the next campaign. There is theatre of the highest order to look forward to and an odyssey of adventure for all those brave enough to have stared into the mirror and asked the burning question of ‘what more could I have given in the effort to get good ship Havana back to the top of the hill?’

There is always a new goal and there is much to be done starting from today. The onus is on the individual to get ahead. As a motivating thought: We are only 12 months from oblivion and the battle for the crest of National 3 has just begun. Lets be stronger, smarter, better prepared.

Until we meet again,

Your Reverend