MAY & BAKER R.U.F.C

2009 / 2010 Second Team Season Review

This season has been a season to remember for the 2nd XV. My aim over recent years has been to build a squad where the more experienced older players set a good example physically & mentally & the youngsters show their future potential with hard work & fast pace! The whole squad has really bonded this season & all 2nd team players should be proud of the effort & passion they have shown!!!

Before discussing stats & figures I would just like to congratulate players who finished last season as 2nd team players & players who started this season in the 2’s & now have earned 1st team call ups. Credit goes to Bob Sharples, Chris Stephens, Rob Patten, Tommy Stimson, Jamie Coughlan, Scotty Turner, Ricky-Lee Turner, Andy Yarrow, Marc Kingshott, Gary Williams, Andrew Lee, Liam Power, & Ben Toulson. Some of which have made the shirt their own so hats off to these talented players who have been a product of the successful ‘train you play’ policy.

Unfortunately our league position of 7th was due to narrow defeats in must win games against Eton Manor, Upminster, & Basildon coupled with having points taken away due to Brentwood & Chelmsford pulling out of the league after we gained valuable results in fixtures with them. Despite a disappointing league campaign the 2nd team have had some high points, none bigger than the victory in the Merit Table League Plate Final. This was the first time in club history the team had got through to the final since the competition started. The victory was the highlight of our season!!! It just showed all the hard work at training & throughout the season paid off as the squad worked hard to defeat Harlow 17-7. Then we celebrated in true Baker’s style!!! On the day M & B showed great passion & determination as a squad. We look forward to defending the trophy next year!!!

A combination of talented youngsters from Robert Clack Academy & University boys have really raised the bar this season. A big thank you to Donna & Dave Maudsley who have worked hard to ensure we give these players a great safe start in adult rugby. Players like Scott Turner, Darren Stephens, Chris Stephens, and Bradley Playfair-Simmons from the academy & Matthew Taylor, Reginald Awoliyi, & Liam Tillet have been a breath of fresh air showing great promise & superb knowledge for their age. Despite me harping on about the youth being the future of this club I can not forget to mention the familiar old boys. The back bone of the club that would always help you out if they could. You deserve credit for all your efforts this year! You are role models to all 2nd team players who have ambitions to become future 1st team players. So I would like to say a massive thank you to the likes of Colin Comben, Dick Williams, Dave O’ Sullivan, Martin Parker, Jim Green, Colin Buckmaster, Keith Friend, & Fred Turner. You have been a huge help this year to young players finding their feet in a man’s game! Sadly, I know Jim Green has already made the decision to hang up his boots & he will be missed so I urge all of my experienced players to put in another strong season!! On a plus one old boy I did not mention was the silver fox, Steve Capper who deserves his own tribute as he was selected this season for Essex Vets. The Bishops as they are more commonly know have had a mixed season but our very own Mr. Capper has had his scoring boots on running in 3 scores in as many games. Fingers crossed he will be injury free & having the same results in a M & B shirt next season!

May & Baker 2nd XV have really strengthened up in the pack as well as the backs this year, combined with some of the players already mentioned above players like Robert & Steve Willingham, Ricky-Lee Turner (Brrruuuuuuuuuccceee), Andy Yarrow, Danny Green & Rob Patten have battled hard & felt the pain all season long, but I’m sure if you ask any of us we would all say the bumps & bruises along the way were worth it!! Some of you have really earned a rightful place as well known Bakers forwards! The final 4 names I would like to mention individually are Ricky-Lee Turner, Gary Williams, Ricky Brigden, & Garry Hill. Firstly Bruce, a talented athlete for a fat boy, fairly new to the game but is very keen to progress & win at all costs. Despite him still not being able to throw a dummy anywhere near as good as Rob Twin & Yarrow he will continually try. He finished the season joint top score for the 2’s on 10 & if ever you had your back against the wall you would know Bruce would give it everything he had to try & change the game in your favour! He was joined on 10 with a player in my opinion that for his raw speed & tackling ability is one of the best players involved in May & Baker Rugby Club, Gary Williams! His defensive work with Michael Donoghue in the centres’ is half the reason we beat Harlow in the final. So once again a big thanks to Gary! Two players that in my opinion will be in contention for player of the year! But my last two players in my opinion have a chance of winning most improved player for the 2009/2010 season! First off, Ricky Brigden, last season very much learning the game from the side line getting 10 minutes at the end of a game, this year Brigden contacted me pre-season & asked for my advice on becoming a better player, saying his goal was to earn a place in my starting line up every week. I gave my opinion & Ricky took it on the chin & worked hard. I hope he feels like he has achieved his goal because despite me using his versatility and asking him to play everywhere in the back line this year, he is a name I always include on my team sheet playing 20 plus games this season. Last but not least, Garry Hill. Garry joined half way through the season & was very quiet & sometimes we missed his hard work as a result. After a few words & a lot of effort at training Garry is now a vocal & physical 2nd row, being a regular since he joined the club I hope to see these players & others knocking on the 1st team door in 2010/2011.

Andy Yarrow played 28 of the 29 games for the 2nd team, only missing 1 game due to 1st team call up, but he was closely marked as always by Colin Comben & this year also Fred Turner & Ricky Brigden.

Unfortunately, we also have a few long term injuries towards the close of the season. Darren Stephens, Gary Williams, Andrew Lee, & Jack Chavner. As a club I'm sure we all wish you speedy recoveries!!

The season has come to an end and it was my goal at the start of the season to get a big squad that socialised & trained & finally got results they deserved. The 2nd team because of the team atmosphere & passion have won the League Plate for the first time ever, held on to the Silver Ball for another season, & for the first time in at least 5 years if not more have won more games than they have lost. I have been building ever since I first captained the 2nd team & we now have a team that should push for more silverware & hopefully promotion next season!!! With familiarity and an even tighter bond than the squad had this year I can see another eventful, high-flying season in 2010/11. This season we have set a bench mark for the future of May & Baker, we slipped up in the league but are in the same Merit Table for next season & should I be re-elected I hope to push for a tight squad of friends who want to train together regularly & live & die for each other on the pitch!!! To finish I would like to say a huge thank you to my two vice-captains this season, Matt Barritt & Scott Turner! Especially Scott who picked up the job just before Christmas & put all his emotion & passion into the job I hope he earned many players respect this year!! Thanks must also go out to Richard Paul & Alan Johnson, who have been a pleasure to work with this season, we have tried hard to help each other however we can, I hope you two can help keep this trend going next season! Also big thanks to everyone that has supported the 2nd team regardless of weather or venue, and finally a thank you to everyone that has played for me this season!!! This year more than any other you have made it a pleasure to captain such a tight group of friends!!!

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS!!!!!! GOOD LUCK LADS!!!!! WELL DONE MAY & BAKER 2nds!!!!!

Thank you for the season & some wonderful memories!!!

Andy Yarrow.