Today marks the start of the 2024-25 league season for level 8 and below and unfortunately a number of teams cannot field a side meaning many players are left without rugby.

Clubs missing teams today include the likes of Brighton, Hastings, Crowborough and unfortunately in our case Shoreham.

September is an odd month for rugby clubs as players come and go (to uni and off to uni) and anyone without kids books some last minute sunshine.

Shoreham cannot field 2 sides today due to September pressures stated above. Luckily for us their 1s game Vs Bton 2s is off as Bton 2s are waiting for their Uni intake to come back. To ensure c40 players still got some rugby, we agreed to a club friendly.

Shoreham 1s were very unlucky not to be promoted last season and they will be one of the strongest teams in the league above us, so today's test will be our toughest outing thus far this season.

Looking back to last week Vs Lewes the boys gave a great performance against higher league opposition who are unbeaten in 2024, tying the game 22-22.

Highlights include winger Tommy Maple grabbing a meat pie, Dan Argles debut to rugby at 46 years of age, Rus steam rolling players for two tries and Kyle Tucker being his abrasive self. It was great to see the return of Ashton Stenning as well after a number of seasons away from the game.

Full back Tomer Teichmann took the MoM award with a performance that was exciting in attack and cut throat in defence.

Back to today's game, with nothing to lose and everything to gain, our 3rd pre season game Vs higher league opposition will set us up for when our league season finally starts.

Finally, well done to vice captain Chris Robson-Close and his wife who welcomed baby Reuben to the world this week. Mother and baby are doing well after an early arrival.

Go well my All Black warriors.

Yours in rugby,

Ross
DoR