THE OLD HABERDASHERS' R.F.C. Report for the 2000/01 Season

As I look back over the 2000-2001 season I can honestly say that I was disappointed with our overall performance. The final record reads: 1st XV: Played 21 Won 7 Lost 14; 2nd XV: Played 1; Won 1.

The 1st XV was very similar to the previous season and yet again we successfully managed to avoid relegation. A huge frustration has been the 2nd XV — we have only operated successfully once over the season, dramatically beating Stevenage by over 100 points! More of this ‘social rugby’ must be encouraged next year.

I believe Old Haberdashers’ are a much better unit than our league position suggests and we must set our sights on a top four finish next season. Despite continued efforts amongst the players we have not made a big impact on the league over my two seasons as captain. This is a shame and an area that can be easily improved. Perhaps the most important issue here is to play regularly with the same 17-20 players. Over the season 44 players have played for the 1st XV. This suggests we have quite a wide base of players yet too often even for major league games Old Haberdashers’ struggled to find 18 players required for the match. Each and every one of us must look to improve our commitment to the Club next season.

In the league our campaign started strongly with two consecutive victories (Hendon and Northolt) and meant we were topping the early season table. Sadly, the university players left in October to go back to their studies and with them our luck deserted us. From this point onwards we only managed one further league victory (Hendon once more) but this left us six points clear of relegation in a firm 10th position!

The cup campaign was far more successful. We reached the fifth round of the Tetley Bitter Vase competition beating QE II, Millfield Old Boys, Chess Valley and Old Isleworthians until the London Fire Brigade finally beat us in a very close encounter at their ground in South London. Without doubt that was a game we should have won — as we kicked off we only had fourteen players at the ground and one prop! This, as one can imagine, put us in an awkward position at the scrums. Unsurprisingly, we did not compete well and within five minutes we were 21 points to nil down. However, at last our prop had arrived, the following 75 minutes were outstanding and we scored a number of tries but with a lead like that to constantly chase we were always struggling and finally went down by 28 points to 23. This was a great shame as we had at that stage reached the last 64 in the national competition. Certainly this fiasco could have been avoided and perhaps the long road to Twickenham would have been easily navigated by the mighty Old Haberdashers’. Who knows?

Unfortunately, due to exceptionally poor weather the classic traditional friendlies were lost being replaced by the ‘more important’ re-arranged league fixtures. This saddens me tremendously as often the best rugby is played when there is not any pressure from the ‘must win’ league fixtures. We did play a few friendlies — the highlight being the annual C.L.O.B. Tournament. In total four games were played and the team produced some fine rugby to force their way into the plate final. Although we eventually lost that final against a strong Sherbourne side it was good to be part of a team that had at last bought silverware back to the ‘fortress’ at Croxdale Road.

Socially, the Club has held two very successful dinners. The inaugural Players Spoof evening was in November and a tremendous evening of Spoof was played by all - the eventual champion being Ed Ramshaw. I look forward to arranging another such evening and I hope that the school boys who did so much to make the first go so well attend in large numbers once again. The annual dinner was held for the first time at the ‘Fortress’. This went exceedingly well and an entertaining evening/morning was had by all.

This is my last season as captain of the 1st XV and I would like all Old Haberdashers’ to know the enjoyment and satisfaction I have gained in helping organise the Club. When I was at Haberdashers’ I never realised/appreciated the commitment of the teachers in helping run and organise school sport. As a pupil all I had to do was turn up — it was easy. Since leaving school I have always participated fully in team games and have had tremendous fun whilst doing so. As I have already mentioned, 43 other members of O.H.R.F.C. have also committed themselves to the 1st XV (some more so than others!). Yet I believe there are many other Old Haberdashers who loved playing sport at school but who have simply given up the game that gave them so much satisfaction. Haberdashers’ School is the lifeblood for the O.H.R.F.C. and at present we are improving our links so that new younger players will constantly roll in to the Club. It is pleasing to note that during university holidays our strongest results occur — this is no coincidence! We must continue to look to the School for the main source of our players yet it is down to all school leavers to continue playing sport at university and hopefully be attracted to the fun we have at the Old Boys.

Old Haberdashers’ Rugby Club has a future and Stuart Smith has agreed to take on the captaincy next season. There is no doubt that it is a time consuming job but with the help from myself and other senior players I am sure he will be successful and I wish him every good fortune for the coming year. With Martin Baker stepping down as President of the Club there are certainly plenty of changes occurring and I hope that Simon Gresswell, the new President, will perform as well as Martin has over the past seasons.

Of course for every club to run successfully there are a number of ‘behind the scenes’ people who work tirelessly for the players on the field. I hope have not missed any one but my sincerest thanks go to Pauline, Mel and the girls at the ‘Fortress’, Peter Vacher - Ground Manager, John Egan — Referees, Andy Gray — Fixtures Secretary, Nick Searle — Groundsman and of course Martin Baker.

My last word of thanks as always must go to the players themselves. We have had a lot of fun over the season and it has brought about great friendships. I hope you will all continue to play next year and fully support our new captain Stuart Smith.

Michael Yeabsley