Old Millhillians RFC

The league season ended on Saturday for the first team, and a long tough season it has been. At times we have produced some great commited rugby, but as was the case again on Saturday, we have often come up against teams who posess a cohesion and shape, as well as players within those teams who have fitness and skills levels beyond what we currently have. West London RFC are the product of the amalgamation of three failed Old Boys sides, and on Saturday around half their players were from the southern hemisphere. We can hold our heads up and say that what ever we went through this season, we kept showing up, worked hard on the pitch, and maintained a good level of morale. Next time we play those blokes, lets do it in October when all their blow -ins have gone walkabout round Europe!

Despite the hardships of the season, the accomplishments have been immense; The u21s have competed in the Cronk-Cunis tournament, players from that team such as Tobi Aputa, Tom Shilling, his brother Will, Mark Montague, Charlie Vicary, Luke Williams and James Prentice have played for the first team; With the help and encouragement of Greame Taylor, the on feild leadership of Jamie Monyahan, and the slightly mental man -management of Gideon Felton the club has given birth to a successfull, inclusive and hugely enjoyable 2nd team, which has also developed and contributed players to the first team- such as Gideon himself, Mike Evans, Mark Derbyshire, Simon Evans, Max Coupe-King, his Dad Martin, Ben Wallice, Sam Taylor, Josh Fresco, and Mike Colley. Without doubt the most promising and significant development of the season has to be for the first time in many years a regular and very successful u19s team. The Relf family have done a fantastic service to the club- Georgette and John have a wealth of experience in rugby administration, and Pascal is a top bloke, a solid leader and motivator, and a pretty bloody good scrum half. Without their work, this would not have happened and the results speak for themselves; the most successful post war school 1stxv were able to continue their unbeaten season with support from their mates in the 2nds and 3rds, and go on to defeat convincingly the likes of Tabbard and Ealing. Many of those boys played a very influential role in the OMs 2nds season as well, such as Will Wright, Dimitri, and Guy Shull, and of course Pascal has played with great distinction for the 1st s.

This week a combined 1/2xv travels away to Abbotstonians, details to follow, next week we hope to play a 1stxv game and a 2ndxv game at HSL. The following week, the 25th April, is the biggest date in the club calendar; all the OMs rugby teams assemble at Headstone Lane for our giant festival of OMs rugby; the u19s, the u21s, the 2nd xv, the 1st xv and an OM legends team all gather to salute the retirement from the game of the irreplaceable David Kelly, who thumped the sh*t out of opposition backlines for three decades in a chocolate and white shirt. There will be food, beer, music and tons of rugby- don’t miss it!

Saturday was also my last game as skipper of the 1st team, I have done it for the last 3 seasons and now am very happy to hand over to Keiran Walsh, who I know will do a fantastic job, and won’t let anyone down- he never has on the pitch. All the best Keiran, our club and our first team have a big bright future ahead. Cheers all, Ben.