Evening all and Woz on….. well we started Rugby last Saturday when we entertained Bridport in a pre-season trial game…. Must just say a big thanks to all the volunteers who helped get the cellar sorted and by the skin of our teeth we were up and running for the day. Big thanks to Finn for sourcing fitting and dealing with the gas leak which it has to be said was a mild panic which he dealt with well. Thanks to Paz for doing all the electrics stuff and Dave McGrath for doing the bulk of the building work and of course to the usual suspect of Chris Gould our chair and Gordon and Stopper, where would we be without those two! Thanks also to Stuart Perry and Adam Smith for sorting all the shelves and glasses….. basically with a bit of team work It all got done with about half a day to spare!

Must say a big thanks to Darren and the council guys who got the pitch marked up for us a week or so earlier than normal, they really are a great asset to have on our side.

On to the game….I know we were a few players light as holidays, unavailability’s etc meant some key players were missing but no matter we acquitted ourselves very well and the first half saw us very much on top….if I’m critical we gave away a lot of penalties which needs to be sorted but I was very much encouraged knowing we were a bit light. We won 10-5 but I think the game was called short as they had several injuries and ran out of players.

It was great to see a lot of supporters down and I chatted with several of the old boy gang and high light for me, was a conversation with Warren and Huggett who were comparing knee replacement scars . All round a good day and a good atmosphere. Corrie popped down with her new baby ( a little girl called Callie). Just can’t keep her away, she wanted to make sure we were doing things right.

We’ve still got lots of work to do around the club and of course Stopper and Gordon are at the forefront of all this. We think we’ve fixed the leak out the back and Stopper has nearly cooked himself painting on the water proof stuff on the roof, in the burning sun. Gordon has sorted the shower encasement is nearly all done now…. just a clean up of the changing rooms and a floor paint to go oh…and also putting back the plaster board in the corridor. As I always say it’s hard pressed volunteers doing the work so if you have a mo or two and can help, let me know I’ll find you an appropriate skilled job for you to help with.

What’s next… oh yes … we had a Chiefs event at the club this week where their “ community development team” put on an all-day fun day rugby session for kids, there were 70 who showed up ! Big thanks to David Munge for organising it all and by all accounts it was great fun and the big hit was the cannon that fired balls miles in the air and the kids had try and catch the ball… anyway it was all very successful.

Junior training is in full swing now . Go down any evening and you’ll bump into an age group training hard… all very inspiring.

I know we don’t start rugby proper proper until the 7th September but we have another trial game for you all this weekend. We are hosting a touring from Southmead in Bristol. KO is at 3pm and I think they are camping some where local after the game. So I guessing a beer or to will be supped after a little runaround … You’re all very welcome to come down and watch the game and it looks like it will be a nice weekend weather wise.

Know it’s short this week but this is a preseason Woz on.

#UTT

Lord Jez