For the fourth year running we started our season at the Frampton festival, and many thanks once again to our hosts for their hospitality during and after the games.

With the squad split into two equal teams (reds and blues) both got off to winning starts with the Reds beating Frampton 3-2 while the Blues beat Quins 3-0. The second round of games saw both teams suffering defeat with St Mary's winning against the Reds 4-1 and Frampton beating the blues 5-2. In the final round of games the Reds lost to North Bristol 4-1 while the Blues beat Chipping Sodbury 4-3.

The good
It was nice to see the new players fit in so well and getting involved, along with good defensive lines, players keeping to their positions, mixing up play between running, crash ball, long passes and as the festival progressed players talking to each other rather than being instructed from the sideline. The potential is there for a great season and with the qualities of the players we have it gives real confidence that we can put out two teams which on their day can play exciting rugby and could beat anyone.

The bad
Some simple handling errors and not playing to the whistle which we can put down to first day jitters. An over reliance on the same few players making tackles as well as not using our strengths against an oppositions potential weakness (using long passes to the wings rather than using the strength of our taller players when against a side half our size, while against a team as big as us trying to run through them rather than passing out to the wings).

The ugly
We can all get passionate, whether it is coaches, players or supporters. Some of that passion showed in a couple of minor incidents between our own players which has been dealt with, but there was another incident which was discussed at length on the day and probably will be over the next week or so. Lets use our passion to support and encourage our players, the opposition players as well as the referee and not degrade ourselves to the level shown by one of the teams at the festival.

Finally
I have been receiving indirect comments about the use of the mini bus from within our own age group as well as from another. If you have any comments or views please speak to me directly (Rob), and I will be more than happy to converse with you.