The U9’s arrived at a cold Wasps ground with a degree of apprehension and dollop of nervous excitement.

A different ground, different pitches and different opposition didn’t faze the team as they lined up to face their first opponents.

Regents Park started the match with their free pass and seven OG’s tackles later were turned over giving us possession.

And so the rout continued with the team racking up substantial wins over all their opponents.

• Match 1 - OGRFC 10 v 1 Regents Park
• Match 2 - OGRFC 7 v nil Ealing
• Match 3 - OGRFC 8 v nil Bank of England
• Match 4 - OGRFC 9 v 1 London Welsh
• Match 5 - OGRFC 8 v 2 Wasps

In the final the sublime defensive work continued and OG’s racked up 4 turnovers. This domination of possession was a massive factor in their substantial win.

• OGRFC 8 v nil Teddington

Beyond the tackling, rolling substitutions were made with little or no effect on play or performance. The team had gelled. Not only were they defending robustly, their support play, attacking runs and passing was outstanding.

On behalf of Jeff, Patrick, Craig and myself we are very proud of the U9’s. They are worthy winners.

My lasting memory of the morning will be being approached on several occasions by coaches and supporters of the opposition teams, taking a look at the OG’s badge on my shirt and asking ‘so where are you from?’

If they didn’t know then, they do know now!