Looking Back And Forwards...
Jack - 1XV Captains pre-season note - summary of how we ended last year and rallying cry for the forthcoming season
The 2019/20 season… as an Exile approaching 10 years of service this extraordinary 12 months has been the most eventful on record.
Our season started with a four game winning streak leaving us (un)expectantly top of the League. Sadly, a series of injuries across the back line (which has a strong correlation to the horizontal rain and gale force winds from relentless tropical storms) forced difficult selections, players out of position and (countless fly halves later) suddenly relegation fears by Christmas.
The second half of the season saw our new head coach start to really get his feet under the desk, and soon enough with new training regimes & Brexit, we found a way to finally return to winning ways. With winning comes match reports, girlfriends on the touchlines, a return of the backs, and the fun bus; things were looking good for strong finish.
Then Covid-19 shut the door on our Cinderella late season run.
It is a shame that we did not manage to see the season out and finish the job. However, Mike ‘Brick Top’ Avis, our head coach with his brutal honesty and no nonsense approach has injected a welcomed positive attitude this season just gone and helped us to return to the flowing open brand of rugby that forged our reputation as the best looking team in SW London and happy winning and social ways.
Training is no longer a light stretch and touch session followed by swift pint round the corner. It is now more akin to a technical rugby/Crossfit session involving some intelligent rugby commentary and skills, and yet the fun and enjoyment remains and it is inclusive to all levels.
With a sprinkling of new players and a next generation of Exile poking their head through the mud at Barn Elms (occasionally literally), we will be able to build on and play more of the brand and intensity of rugby that we have been working towards. And I hope that by then, we will be allowed to go to the pub afterwards!!
An Exile is a proud and social creature. It basks in the glory of donning the Club blazer and tie and tearing across bars, dancefloors, nightclubs and occasionally tables; singing, drinking, and other less mentionable past-times enjoyed by a squad after a big match day out.
The majority of the lads sit camped out in the home counties awaiting the reboot of Rugby and their London social lives (and their careers). We hope that Covid-19 hasn’t been too painful for you all, that you are all working on the 3 main body groups, (abs, chest and guns).
More important, we hope that you’re looking forward to a return to rugby, shower time, The Red Lion, Alma, Wandle, Ship, Chutney & institutions all across SW London.
Lastly, I pray my brother has indeed put on more weight than me (maybe the camera is just fattening) and takes up his true position in the FRU.
Crucially, I look forward to being released, seeing you all looking healthy and keen for pre-season in the sunshine. To the core group that turned out in rain or shine, that is what makes the badge, the blazer and the tie so special. It’s about the club, the teams and the friendships.
I look forward to seeing existing and new members for pre-season, please sign up and join us and I look forward to building again in September.
-Jack Sawbridge (1XV Captain)